copy
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.
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).
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.
Idioms about copy
copy the mail, Citizens Band Radio Slang. mail1 (def. 11).
Origin of copy
1synonym study For copy
Other words for copy
Opposites for copy
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, adjective
- well-cop·ied, adjective
Words Nearby copy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
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 NewsThe 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 | ProPublicaOnce 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 NewsAlso in April, Jared Whitlock, a freelance journalist who contributes to VOSD, requested copies of county death certificates.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTOne 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 | THE DAILY BEASTHe'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 | THE DAILY BEASTBut 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 | THE DAILY BEASTSo, I was copying it and getting it out, and I kept a copy on myself at all times with really, really strong passwords.
You were obliging enough to ask me to accept a presentation copy of your verses.
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 FaySo 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 FayThese 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 SullyA 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
/ (ˈkɒpɪ) /
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 story: disasters are always good copy
archaic a model to be copied, esp an example of penmanship
(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
Origin of copy
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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