duplicate

[doo-pli-kit, dyoo-, doo-pli-keyt, dyoo-]

noun

1. a copy exactly like an original.

   Synonyms: reproduction, replica, facsimile
   Antonyms: original

2. anything corresponding in all respects to something else.

3. Cards.,  a duplicate game.

verb (used with object)

duplicated, duplicating 

1. to make an exact copy of.

2. to do or perform again; repeat.

   He duplicated his father's way of standing with his hands in his pockets.

3. to double; make twofold.

verb (used without object)

duplicated, duplicating 

1. to become duplicate.

adjective

1. exactly like or corresponding to something else.

   duplicate copies of a letter.

2. consisting of or existing in two identical or corresponding parts; double.

   Synonyms: twofold

3. Cards.,  noting a game in which each team plays a series of identical hands, the winner being the team making the best total score.

duplicate

/ ˈdjuːplɪkəbəl /

adjective

1. copied exactly from an original

2. identical

3. existing as a pair or in pairs; twofold

noun

1. an exact copy; double

2. something additional or supplementary of the same kind

3. two exact copies (esp in the phrase in duplicate )

verb

1. (tr) to make a replica of

2. (tr) to do or make again

3. (tr) to make in a pair; make double

4. (intr) biology to reproduce by dividing into two identical parts

   the chromosomes duplicated in mitosis

Other Word Forms

• duplicative adjective
• nonduplicating adjective
• preduplicate verb (used with object)
• quasi-duplicate adjective
• self-duplicating adjective
• unduplicated adjective
• duplicately adverb
• duplicability noun
• duplicable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of duplicate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin duplicātus (past participle of duplicāre “to make double”), equivalent to duplic- (stem of duplex ) duplex + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of duplicate¹

C15: from Latin duplicāre to double, from duo two + plicāre to fold

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in duplicate, in two copies, especially two identical copies.

   Please type the letter in duplicate.

Synonym Study

See imitate.

Example Sentences

And then there are the typos: a duplicated “1 wand” on Page 51 and a misspelling on the back cover, where the title appears as “Philospher’s Stone.”

From Los Angeles Times

Demands to hold up the rate increase would duplicate the dispute that has been playing out over a request by State Farm General, the state’s largest home insurer, for a 30% rate increase.

From Los Angeles Times

State officials said the delay resulted in having to duplicate some spending, including IT system changes, staff training and other implementation costs, the report said.

From Salon

Websites and social media companies are required to remove such material, including duplicate content, within 48 hours after a victim makes the request.

From Los Angeles Times

Sept. 12, 2025: Due to a duplicate name listed, this report reflects that 19 players have been declared ineligible for two years instead of 20.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clone 
• copy 
• imitate 
• mirror 
• replicate 
• reproduce