hard copy

American  

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.

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hard copy British  

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• hard-copy adjective

Etymology

Origin of hard copy

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

He crunched numbers using an old DOS-based database manager, printing out hard copies full of data and checking the figures by pen.

From The Wall Street Journal

At Park’s request, he printed 20 or so hard copies to be mailed to publishers.

From Los Angeles Times

A spokesperson said each item was being taken to a warehouse in a secret location to be individually photographed, so that both a digital book and hard copy could be given to the Osbourne family.

From BBC

But the publishers won’t send hard copies to Russia or Belarus, because they say they can’t guarantee the book would get through customs.

From BBC

But users shouldn’t leave behind their hard copies just yet.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• printout