hard copy

noun

1. copy, as computer output printed on paper, that can be read without using a special device ( soft copy ).
2. copy that is finished and ready for the printer.

hard copy

noun

1. computer output printed on paper, as contrasted with machine-readable output such as magnetic tape

Other Words From

• hard-copy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hard copy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

At that time you could go and knock on the doors and drop in hard copies.

From Ozy

Although the census was offered in Arabic in 2020, for example, the hard copies mailed to people were always in English, with a sheet explaining in different languages how to complete the census in Arabic or other languages.

From Voice of San Diego

Despite the increasingly digital nature of recordkeeping, many critical documents still come in hard copy and require dedicated office storage built around safety, security and ease of access.

From Popular-Science

Do people prefer “certain documents in hard-copy” or do they “favor online disclosure?”

From The Daily Beast

“A Setback in the Israeli Parliament for Settlers,” announced my hard copy of The New York Times.

From The Daily Beast

Papers are in full-on wedding mode as the official program is finally made available in hard copy form.

From The Daily Beast

The resulting etext was compared with a public domain hard copy version of the text.

From Project Gutenberg

Please note that the hard-copy book used to create this ebook was not in the best condition.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• printout