Which of the following best defines the verb 'simulate'?

• A. To reproduce a situation
• B. To feign
• C. To do something that looks as if it is real when it truly is not
• D. To imitate something not present

Answer: (C)

Simulate means creating a representation that imitates reality so convincingly that it appears real, even though it isn’t. The best definition here captures that sense of making something look or feel real when it isn’t, which is the core idea behind simulation. This emphasis on realism distinguishes it from simply reproducing a situation, which might be an exact copy without stressing the convincing, real-feeling aspect; from feigning, which centers on pretending about a trait or feeling rather than producing a realistic stand-in; and from imitating something not present, which can be about copying something that isn’t there but doesn’t focus on the appearance of realness. A good example is a flight simulator that recreates the cockpit and physics so you experience flying as if you were really doing it, even though the experience isn’t the actual flight.