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

Registrar of Voters faced attacks over the integrity of the 2024 election after unfounded allegations of forged signatures, non-U.S. citizens voting and duplicated ballots circulated on social media.

From Los Angeles Times

The new draft rolls have 72.4 million names - 6.5 million fewer than before, with the commission saying the omissions include duplicate, deceased and migrant voters.

From BBC

The ECI says the drive targets duplicate and deceased voters, but critics say its haste has disenfranchised many, especially migrants and minorities.

From BBC

Both currently have responsibility for managing disused railway land, but the Department for Transport said that this "fragmented approach" had led to "inefficiencies, duplicated efforts and missed opportunities".

From BBC

Whether these warnings will be duplicated or prove effective remains to be seen.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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