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Synonyms

reproduce

American  
[ree-pruh-doos, -dyoos] / ˌri prəˈdus, -ˈdyus /

verb (used with object)

reproduced, reproducing
  1. to make a copy, representation, duplicate, or close imitation of.

    to reproduce a picture.

  2. to produce again or anew by natural process.

    to reproduce a severed branch.

  3. Biology. to produce one or more other individuals of (a given kind of organism) by some process of generation or propagation, sexual or asexual.

    Synonyms:
    beget, propagate, generate
  4. to cause or foster the reproduction of (organisms).

  5. to produce, form, make, or bring about again or anew in any manner.

    Synonyms:
    repeat
  6. to recall to the mind or have a mental image of (a past incident, scene, etc.), as by the aid of memory or imagination.

  7. to produce again, as a play produced at an earlier time.


verb (used without object)

reproduced, reproducing
  1. to reproduce its kind, as an organism; propagate; bear offspring.

  2. to turn out in a given manner when copied.

    This picture will reproduce well.

reproduce British  
/ ˌriːprəˈdjuːs /

verb

  1. to make a copy, representation, or imitation of; duplicate

  2. (also intr) biology to undergo or cause to undergo a process of reproduction

  3. to produce or exhibit again

  4. to bring back into existence again; re-create

  5. to bring before the mind again (a scene, event, etc) through memory or imagination

  6. (intr) to come out (well, badly, etc), when copied

  7. to replace (damaged parts or organs) by a process of natural growth; regenerate

  8. to cause (a sound or television recording) to be heard or seen

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See imitate.

Other Word Forms

  • reproducer noun
  • reproducibility noun
  • reproducible adjective
  • reproducibly adverb
  • self-reproducing adjective

Etymology

Origin of reproduce

First recorded in 1605–15; re- + produce

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Eventually, the parasites reach marine mammals, where they reproduce.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

They annihilated France but couldn't reproduce anything like that performance in Dublin.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Leafhoppers reproduce using what scientists call a "lock and key" system.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2026

Is this land that should be funneled into big, private development projects, in a way that might reproduce the same systems?

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026

If only she could reproduce the clear light of a summers morning, the sensations of a child standing at a window, the curve and dip of a swallows flight over a pool of water.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan