mock turtle

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

An imitation or substitute for something else, especially when such an imitation is seen as less authentic.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English
Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “mock turtle” mean?

An imitation or substitute for something else, especially when such an imitation is seen as less authentic.

Is “mock turtle” formal or informal?

mock turtle is generally slang.