doppelgänger

or Doppelgänger

[ dop-uhl-gang-er; German daw-puhl-geng-er ]

noun

a ghostly double or counterpart of a living person.

Origin of doppelgänger

First recorded in 1850–55; from German: literally, “double-walker,” from doppel double + Gänger “walker” (from Gang “motion, way” + -er -er¹; cf. gang¹ )

Also called doubleganger.

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

How to use doppelgänger in a sentence

As far as celebrity doppelgangers go, no one can top comic actor Will Ferrell and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.
Viral Video of the Day: Will Ferrell and Chad Smith Drum-Off | Alex Chancey | May 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
After all, the Republican convention was chockablock with McCain doppelgangers.
The End of Obama Hook-Ups | Jessi Klein | October 31, 2008 | THE DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for doppelgänger

doppelgänger

/ (ˈdɒpəlˌɡɛŋə, German ˈdɔpəlˌɡɛŋər) /

noun

legend a ghostly duplicate of a living person

Origin of doppelgänger

from German Doppelgänger, literally: double-goer

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

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