doppelgänger

American  

[dop-uhl-gang-er, daw-puhl-geng-er] / ˈdɒp əlˌgæŋ ər, ˈdɔ pəlˌgɛŋ ər /

Or Doppelgänger

noun

1. a ghostly double or counterpart of a living person.

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doppelgänger British  

/ ˈdɒpəlˌɡɛŋə, ˈdɔpəlˌɡɛŋər /

noun

1. legend a ghostly duplicate of a living person

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Etymology

Origin of doppelgänger

First recorded in 1850–55; from German: literally, “double-walker,” from doppel double ( def. ) + Gänger “walker” (from Gang “motion, way” + -er -er ¹ ( def. ); cf. gang ¹ ( def. ))

Explanation

Someone who looks spookily like you, but isn't a twin, is a doppelganger. Originally, this was a type of ghost. The word doppelganger is German and literally means double walker — as in a ghost or shadow of yourself. An easy way to remember it is that doppelganger sounds like double, as in "That movie star is my double. We look so much alike." These days, most people don't refer to the ghost meaning when talking about doppelgangers: they just mean someone who looks a lot like you or could be your twin. Still, that is pretty spooky.

Example Sentences

A Calvin Klein spokeswoman said the doppelgänger is a coincidence and the photos were taken in November, before “Love Story” aired.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

As the demands of these two facets of his life become overwhelming, he decides to hire a doppelgänger to take over his professional commitments.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2025

On that cold rainy day, Zendaya doppelgänger Zainab Bansfield took home the coveted $40 prize, hair care products and bragging rights.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2024

Levy lived there for a year during a fellowship at Columbia University’s Institute of Ideas and Imagination, researching the idea of the doppelgänger.

From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2023

Ishtar, or her historical doppelgänger, smiled amusedly at me, as if remembering a joke only she understood.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda