copy

[ kop-ee ]

/ ˈkɒp i /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: copy / copied / copies / copying on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural cop·ies, for 1, 2, 8, 10.

an imitation, reproduction, or transcript of an original: a copy of a famous painting.

one of the various examples or specimens of the same book, engraving, or the like.

written matter intended to be reproduced in printed form: The editor sent the copy for the next issue to the printer.

the text of a news story, advertisement, television commercial, etc., as distinguished from related visual material.

the newsworthiness of a person, thing, or event (often preceded by good or bad): The president is always good copy.Compare news (def. 4).

Computers. an exact duplicate of a file, program, etc.: Keep a backup copy of the document.

Genetics. replication (def. 7).

Printing. pictures and artwork prepared for reproduction.

British Informal. (in schools) a composition; a written assignment.

British. a size of drawing or writing paper, 16 × 20 inches (40 × 50 centimeters).

Archaic. something that is to be reproduced; an example or pattern, as of penmanship to be copied by a pupil.

verb (used with object), cop·ied, cop·y·ing.

to make a copy of; transcribe; reproduce: to copy a set of figures from a book.

to receive and understand (a radio message or its sender).

to follow as a pattern or model; imitate.

Computers. to make an exact duplicate of (a file, selected text, etc.) and store in another location or in temporary memory: Can I copy the program to another computer? Copy the selected paragraph to the clipboard.Compare cut (def. 25), paste (def. 13).

verb (used without object), cop·ied, cop·y·ing.

to make a copy or copies.

to undergo copying: It copied poorly.I can't install the program—one file won't copy.

to hear or receive a radio message, as over a CB radio: Do you copy?

Also cocky. Newfoundland. to leap from one ice pan to another across open water.

OTHER WORDS FOR copy

1 duplicate, carbon, facsimile.

See synonyms for copy on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR copy

14 originate.

See antonyms for copy on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about copy

copy the mail, Citizens Band Radio Slang. mail¹ (def. 11).

Origin of copy

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English copie (from Anglo-French ) from Medieval Latin cōpia “abundance, something copied,” Latin: “wealth, abundance”; see copious; (def. 18) originally a children's game, from the phrase copy the leader

synonym study for copy

14. See imitate.

OTHER WORDS FROM copy

pre·cop·y, noun, plural pre·cop·ies, verb (used with object), pre·cop·ied, pre·cop·y·ing.re·cop·y, verb (used with object), re·cop·ied, re·cop·y·ing.un·cop·ied, adjectivewell-cop·ied, adjective

Words nearby copy

copula, copulate, copulation, copulative, copulative asyndeton, copy, copybook, copyboy, copycat, copycutter, copy desk

How to use copy in a sentence

The person still had some nonfunctional copies of the virus.
In a first, a person’s immune system fought HIV — and won|Tina Hesman Saey|August 26, 2020|Science News
The newsrooms learned of Clarkson’s behavior in June and first requested copies of the messages from the Department of Law — which he oversees — on June 4.
Alaska’s Attorney General Resigns Hours After We Published “Uncomfortable” Texts He Sent to a Younger Colleague|by Kyle Hopkins, Anchorage Daily News|August 25, 2020|ProPublica
Once the virus has made its way into cells, it starts making copies of itself.
New treatments aim to treat COVID-19 early, before it gets serious|Tina Hesman Saey|August 24, 2020|Science News
Also in April, Jared Whitlock, a freelance journalist who contributes to VOSD, requested copies of county death certificates.
We’re Suing for COVID-19 Data|Scott Lewis and Jesse Marx|August 14, 2020|Voice of San Diego

You should use location-based copy on your website if you’re a company that has not multiple goods or services but has different locations.
10 Tips to perform in depth local SEO for your business|Jackson Keil|July 20, 2020|Search Engine Watch
The Tampa Bay Times got their hands on a full copy of the letter the retired judge sent to Winston.
Jameis Winston Cleared of Rape Like Every Other College Sports Star|Robert Silverman|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One African American woman brandished a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution while marching.
Sharpton Recalls Civil Rights Struggle in DC March Against Police Violence|Ben Jacobs|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He's starting to sound like a schoolboy with a copy of Penthouse.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But when their first book, SuicideGirls, came out in 2004, she gifted her a copy.
Masters of Alt Sex: SuicideGirls Hits Puberty and Wants to Invade Your TV Set|Marlow Stern|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So, I was copying it and getting it out, and I kept a copy on myself at all times with really, really strong passwords.
Laura Poitras on Snowden's Unrevealed Secrets|Marlow Stern|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You were obliging enough to ask me to accept a presentation copy of your verses.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, November 3, 1894|Various
Then, child, you've fallen on your head, if you don't know that at least you must have a second copy of the concerto!
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
So he took my copy and played the orchestra part which is indicated above the piano part, and I played without notes.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
These first attempts to copy in line the forms of familiar objects are among the most curious products of the child's mind.
Children's Ways|James Sully
A copy of Tendall's testament sold at Oxford for 20 guineas, supposed to be the only copy of that edition unburned by Tonstall.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

British Dictionary definitions for copy

copy

/ (ˈkɒpɪ) /

noun plural copies

an imitation or reproduction of an original

a single specimen of something that occurs in a multiple edition, such as a book, article, etc

matter to be reproduced in print
written matter or text as distinct from graphic material in books, newspapers, etc

the words used to present a promotional message in an advertisement

journalism informal suitable material for an article or storydisasters are always good copy

archaic a model to be copied, esp an example of penmanship

verb copies, copying or copied

(when tr, often foll by out) to make a copy or reproduction of (an original)

(tr) to imitate as a model

(intr) to imitate unfairly

Word Origin for copy

C14: from Medieval Latin cōpia an imitation, something copied, from Latin: abundance, riches; see copious

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

copy

OTHER WORDS FOR copy

OPPOSITES FOR copy

Idioms about copy

Origin of copy

synonym study for copy

OTHER WORDS FROM copy

Words nearby copy

Words related to copy

How to use copy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for copy

Word Origin for copy