ditto

[ dit-oh ]

/ ˈdɪt oʊ /

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See synonyms for: ditto / dittoed / dittoing on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural dit·tos.

the aforesaid; the above; the same (used in accounts, lists, etc., to avoid repetition). Abbreviation: do. Symbol:″.Compare ditto mark.

another of the same.

Informal. a duplicate; copy.

adverb

as already stated; likewise.

verb (used with object), dit·toed, dit·to·ing.

to make a copy of, using a Ditto machine.

to duplicate or repeat the action or statement of (another person).

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

Origin of ditto

1615–25; <Italian, variant of detto<Latin dictus said, past participle of dīcere to say; see dictum

Words nearby ditto

ditriglyph, ditrochee, dittander, dittany, Dittersdorf, ditto, dittograph, dittography, Ditto machine, ditto mark, ditty

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ditto in a sentence

Ditto Virginia, but in reverse; culturally, northern Virginia is Yankee land (but with gun shops).
Dems, It’s Time to Dump Dixie|Michael Tomasky|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When the former engaged in his drone filibuster, Cruz showed up in support; ditto for Paul when Cruz held an Obamacare filibuster.
Rand Paul Beats Ted Cruz, Saves NSA From ‘Reform’|Tim Mak, Olivia Nuzzi|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ditto Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who won easily, and might parlay his success into a presidential bid.
For Conservatives, Liberal Tears Taste Sweet|Matt Lewis|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ditto that the Court acted (or in-acted) “without providing any explanation whatsoever.”
Who Are the Judicial Activists Now?|Michael Tomasky|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Ditto for Nancy Writebol the other American flown back in that dramatic first wave.
The CDC Was Wrong About How to Stop Ebola|Kent Sepkowitz|October 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The northern aisle is occupied below with free seats; and above, in a gallery, with ditto.
Our Churches and Chapels|Atticus
For a week past, the house had been tolerably well filled—ditto Mrs. Sutton's hands; ditto her great, heart.
At Last|Marion Harland
Sam has been got out of the way by a cooked-up story, ditto your manager.
Fifty-Two Stories For Girls|Various
And now a cold little hand was stretched out from the left bed towards her, and a cold little hand from the right bed did ditto.
Betty Vivian|L. T. Meade
Lot 176—Frock coat and vest, dress coat and vest, ditto, pair of trousers and opera hat.
Happy Days|Alan Alexander Milne

British Dictionary definitions for ditto

ditto

/ (ˈdɪtəʊ) /

noun plural -tos

the aforementioned; the above; the same. Used in accounts, lists, etc, to avoid repetition and symbolized by two small marks (ˌ) known as ditto marks, placed under the thing repeatedAbbreviation: do

informal

a duplicate
(as modifier)a ditto copy

adverb

in the same way

sentence substitute

informal used to avoid repeating or to confirm agreement with an immediately preceding sentence

verb -tos, -toing or -toed

(tr) to copy; repeat

Word Origin for ditto

C17: from Italian (Tuscan dialect), variant of detto said, from dicere to say, from Latin

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

ditto

Origin of ditto

Words nearby ditto

Words related to ditto

How to use ditto in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ditto

Word Origin for ditto