What does apery mean?
Apery is a noun denoting the act or practice of imitation, particularly copying that is unoriginal, slavish, or faintly mocking. It derives from the verb 'ape' — meaning to imitate — combined with the suffix '-ery', which forms nouns describing actions or practices. The word is most often encountered in criticism and commentary: a writer's style may be condemned as apery of a famous author, or a performer's impressions praised as brilliant apery. Its connotation leans negative, suggesting derivative work rather than genuine invention, though the term can be used neutrally simply to describe mimicry. A secondary, older sense describes behaviour reminiscent of an ape, reflecting the word's literal origins in comparisons between imitators and primates. Related terms such as 'mockery', 'mimicry', and 'impersonation' overlap with apery, but none carries quite the same implication of mindless copying. Though rare in casual speech, apery remains a precise and evocative choice when discussing imitation in art, literature, or conduct.
The action or practice of imitating someone or something, especially in an unoriginal or mocking way.
"The reviewer called the film an apery of Hitchcock without any of his suspense."
Often used with modifiers such as 'mere' or 'slavish' to emphasize lack of originality.
Behaviour or mannerisms resembling those of an ape; playful or mischievous mimicry.
"The children's apery of their teacher sent the class into fits of giggles."
This older, literal sense is now less common than the general sense of imitation.
The plural 'aperies' is rare; the word is usually treated as an uncountable mass noun referring to the practice of imitation.
"The essay surveys the various aperies of Romantic poetry found in Victorian verse."
The word 'apery' literally treats human copycats as apes — English speakers have been comparing imitators to primates since the word was coined centuries ago.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of apery
Apery is formed from the English verb 'ape', meaning to imitate, which itself descends from the Old English noun 'apa' (ape), combined with the noun-forming suffix '-ery'. The suffix '-ery' also produced parallel words such as 'mockery' and 'trickery', giving apery a natural place in that family of action-nouns. The word has been part of English since at least the seventeenth century, retaining both its figurative sense of imitation and its older, literal sense of ape-like behaviour.
How apery is actually used
Apery is a somewhat literary or formal word, more likely to appear in criticism and reviews than in everyday conversation. It often carries a negative connotation, implying unoriginal or servile copying rather than creative homage.
Easily confused with apery
An apiary is a place where beehives are kept, while apery means imitative behaviour or mimicry.
An aperitif is an alcoholic drink taken before a meal, whereas apery refers to imitation or mimicking.