facsimile

American  

[fak-sim-uh-lee] / fækˈsɪm ə li /

noun

1. an exact copy, as of a book, painting, or manuscript.

   Synonyms:

   duplicate, likeness, replica

2. Also called fax.  Telecommunications.

   1. a method or device for transmitting documents, drawings, photographs, or the like, by means of radio or telephone for exact reproduction elsewhere.

   2. an image transmitted by such a method.

3. dropout.

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verb (used with object)

facsimiled, facsimileing

1. to reproduce in facsimile; make a facsimile of.

   Synonyms:

   duplicate

adjective

1. Telecommunications. Also

   1. (of an image) copied by means of facsimile.

      facsimile mail.

   2. (of a method or device) used to produce a facsimile.

      facsimile transmission.

facsimile British  

/ fækˈsɪmɪlɪ /

noun

1. 1. an exact copy or reproduction

   2. ( as modifier )

      a facsimile publication

2. an image produced by facsimile transmission

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verb

1. (tr) to make an exact copy of

Etymology

Origin of facsimile

1655–65; earlier fac simile make the like, equivalent to Latin fac (imperative of facere ) + simile, noun use of neuter of similis like; see simile

Explanation

A facsimile is a copy or reproduction of something. Many parents hope their children will be facsimiles of themselves; many children have other plans in mind. Facsimile comes from two Latin roots: facere, meaning "to make," and simile, meaning "like." Fax machines are so called because they copy and transmit facsimiles of documents, or faxes for short, over phone lines. Grammatically speaking, photocopiers also make facsimiles, but oddly enough those are referred to as copies — not faxes.

Example Sentences

But would the holographic pixels of an A.I.-generated facsimile capture the tiny crevices between my brother’s crooked teeth?

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

The show is adapted from, in fact is almost a facsimile of, the Apple TV+ series, which ran two short seasons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Fax machines - formally known as facsimile machines - used to be a familiar fixture in offices as well as schools, hospitals and police stations across the country.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026

Slash, or, rather, a skeletal facsimile of him played by an actor, will be available for photo opportunities and meet and greets at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, which runs most evenings through Nov. 2.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025

I can handle the facsimile, but I can’t handle the real thing.

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini

Related Words

• carbon copy
• likeness
• photocopy
• replica