carbon copy

American  

noun

1. 1. a duplicate of anything written or typed, made by using a photocopier or, formerly, by using carbon paper. cc

   2. a copy of an email or other electronic document that is sent to one or more people in addition to the primary addressee. cc

2. a near or exact duplicate of a given person or thing; replica.

   She's a carbon copy of her mother.

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carbon copy British  

noun

1. Often shortened to: carbon. a duplicate copy of writing, typewriting, or drawing obtained by using carbon paper

2. informal a person or thing that is identical or very similar to another

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carbon copy Idioms  

1. A person or thing that closely resembles another, as in Our grandson is a carbon copy of his dad. Originally this term meant a copy of a document made by using carbon paper. The linguistic transfer to other kinds of duplicate survived the demise of carbon paper (replaced by photocopiers, computer printers, and other more sophisticated devices). [c. 1870]

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Etymology

Origin of carbon copy

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

carbon copy

Many analysts I spoke to said John Ternus is a Cook carbon copy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 26, 2026

"We all wanted to get a band together that wasn't just a carbon copy, everybody looks the same, they sound the same," Anthony tells Newsbeat.

From BBC ● Dec. 19, 2025

Andy Cumming: The fans didn't want Martin and he's turning this Rangers side into a carbon copy of his Southampton side.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2025

“This reads as almost a carbon copy of that order,” Nelson said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 1, 2025

Normally, in important tournaments, a score sheet is backed up with a carbon copy, the original going to the tournament organizers or referee for safekeeping should there be a subsequent dispute of any kind.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• mirror image