doppelgänger

American  

[dop-uhl-gang-er, daw-puhl-geng-er] / ˈdɒp əlˌgæŋ ər, ˈdɔ pəlˌgɛŋ ər /

Or Doppelgänger

noun

1. a ghostly double or counterpart of a living person.

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doppelgänger British  

/ ˈdɒpəlˌɡɛŋə, ˈdɔpəlˌɡɛŋər /

noun

1. legend a ghostly duplicate of a living person

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Etymology

Origin of doppelgänger

First recorded in 1850–55; from German: literally, “double-walker,” from doppel double ( def. ) + Gänger “walker” (from Gang “motion, way” + -er -er ¹ ( def. ); gang ¹ ( def. ) )

Example Sentences

You only need to pose for a few seconds for it to generate your digital doppelgänger, aka “cameo.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2025

Bobbitt is one of several curly-haired, high-cheekboned Chalamet wannabees hoping to be crowned Chalamet’s doppelgänger and take home a $50 cash prize.

From Salon • Oct. 29, 2024

“There’s a gentleman in your audience who looks strikingly similar to Beavis, from the cartoon ‘Beavis and Butt-Head,’” Thompson says of Gosling’s Beavis doppelgänger.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2024

In writing “August Blue,” Levy liked the idea of using the doppelgänger to explore the mind and the way “we all talk to ourselves.”

From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2023

Willem is the Dutch version of William, just like his American movie star doppelgänger.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse