copy
Americannoun
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an imitation, reproduction, or transcript of an original.
a copy of a famous painting.
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one of the various examples or specimens of the same book, engraving, or the like.
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written matter intended to be reproduced in printed form.
The editor sent the copy for the next issue to the printer.
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the text of a news story, advertisement, television commercial, etc., as distinguished from related visual material.
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the newsworthiness of a person, thing, or event (often preceded by good orbad ).
The president is always good copy.
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Computers. an exact duplicate of a file, program, etc..
Keep a backup copy of the document.
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Genetics. replication.
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Printing. pictures and artwork prepared for reproduction.
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British Informal. (in schools) a composition; a written assignment.
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British. a size of drawing or writing paper, 16 × 20 inches (40 × 50 centimeters).
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Archaic. something that is to be reproduced; an example or pattern, as of penmanship to be copied by a pupil.
verb (used with object)
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to make a copy of; transcribe; reproduce.
to copy a set of figures from a book.
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to receive and understand (a radio message or its sender).
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to follow as a pattern or model; imitate.
- Antonyms:
- originate
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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.
verb (used without object)
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to make a copy or copies.
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to undergo copying.
It copied poorly.
I can't install the program—one file won't copy.
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to hear or receive a radio message, as over a CB radio.
Do you copy?
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Newfoundland. Also to leap from one ice pan to another across open water.
idioms
noun
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an imitation or reproduction of an original
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a single specimen of something that occurs in a multiple edition, such as a book, article, etc
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matter to be reproduced in print
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written matter or text as distinct from graphic material in books, newspapers, etc
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the words used to present a promotional message in an advertisement
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informal journalism suitable material for an article or story
disasters are always good copy
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archaic a model to be copied, esp an example of penmanship
verb
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to make a copy or reproduction of (an original)
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(tr) to imitate as a model
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(intr) to imitate unfairly
Synonym Usage
See imitate.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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copysimple
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copiessimple
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have copiedperfect
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has copiedperfect
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am copyingprogressive
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are copyingprogressive
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is copyingprogressive
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have been copyingperfect progressive
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has been copyingperfect progressive
Past
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copiedsimple
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had copiedperfect
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was copyingprogressive
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were copyingprogressive
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had been copyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
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; copy ( def. 18 ) originally a children's game, from the phrase copy the leader
Explanation
A copy is a reproduction of something — it looks identical to the original. You might ask your sister to make a copy of your nephew's adorable painting so you can hang it on your fridge. You can use the word copy in several different ways. Your doctor's office may keep a copy of your insurance card on file, and they may copy it again every year. This verb form of copy means "to replicate or reproduce." You can also copy down what your teacher says in class — in this case, you're not making an identical copy, but writing the basic ideas. The Medieval Latin root, copia, "reproduction or transcript," comes from the Latin word copia, "plenty."
Vocabulary lists containing copy
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Journalism
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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.
See Examples For:
Zach Musiakiewicz, 24, didn’t think “The Odyssey” was something he would ever like when he picked up a copy at a secondhand bookstore, but was pleasantly surprised.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
“I’ve been playing that since my early 20s because I was obsessed with Bob Dylan and Joan Baez,” Price says, “and we got our hands on a copy of the ‘Rolling Thunder Revue.’
From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2026
During our Zoom, with the background carefully faded behind her wavy blond bob, she promises that she doesn’t just copy and paste her subjects and settings from what sells.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
Two practice journeys with a textile copy were previously made, to test the route and the crate.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
Eisman obtained a copy; its contents confirmed his worst suspicions.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
Certainly many “Little House” fans cherish the novels’ central role in their childhood, too; the book series has sold more than 60 million copies since they were first published in the 1930s and ’40s.
From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026
When supporters of the creedal nation theory come at me brandishing copies of the Declaration, I respect their sentiments but maintain my dissent.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
Around 200 copies are likely to have been printed on the night, of which only 26 are known to have survived until today.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
Inspired by her family’s produce, she cast real corn, strawberries and cherries in plaster, then made a silicone mold to create copies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
“We could’ve worked on it some more and made a bunch of copies in the library and sold it around the school.”
From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender
The Belgian team copied Trump's unmistakable swaying fist pumps as they celebrated their 4-1 thrashing of the co-hosts on Monday, dancing and singing the song on the pitch and in the changing room.
From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026
Chinese media reported last week that a court in the eastern Jiangsu province ruled that the Shenzhen-based tea company had copied Louis Vuitton's iconic four-petal flower monogram trademark.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
New York copied this law almost word for word from Oregon, where our challenge is now before the Ninth U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026
When levels are too low, DNA can be copied incorrectly, leading to mutations that, over many years, may increase the risk of certain cancers, particularly colon cancer.
From Science Daily ● May 27, 2026
When he turned to look at it again, all his reflections copied his movement.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
Scammers exploit the Emirati royal's likeness by drawing on his vast online presence, including his more than 17 million Instagram followers, and sometimes even copying the prince's authentic poems to deceive victims.
From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026
Microsoft is weighing whether to host a version of DeepSeek, an ultralow-cost AI provider based in China that OpenAI and Anthropic have called out for distilling, or copying, their top models.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
Recalling that she grew up being warned away from copying off someone else’s test because “cheating is only cheating yourself,” she sounds glum.
From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2026
Videos of fans copying the moves to hits from both artists have racked up millions of views online.
From BBC ● May 29, 2026
She told me she had put those blue streaks in her hair and now everybody at school was copying her.
From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
