duplicate

1.
/ˈdupləkət/
a copy that corresponds to an original exactly
2.
/ˈduplɪˌkeɪt/
identically copy or match
IPA guide

Other forms: duplicated; duplicates; duplicating

Duplicate describes something that's an exact copy. If you tend to accidentally lock yourself out of your car, it's a good idea to carry a duplicate key with you just in case.

The word duplicate is useful when you're talking about a copy of something, like a duplicate of your birth certificate that you keep in a file, or a duplicate driver's license that you apply for after losing the original one. The verb duplicate is pronounced differently, with a long a sound, and it means to make a copy of or to multiply times two. The Latin root, duplicatus, means "to double."

Definitions of duplicate (/ˈdupləkət/)
  1. noun
    a copy that corresponds to an original exactly
    “he made a duplicate for the files”
    synonyms: duplication
    see moresee less
    types:
    backup, computer backup
    (computer science) a copy of a file or directory on a separate storage device
    counterpart, similitude, twin
    a duplicate copy
    match, mate
    an exact duplicate
    type of:
    copy
    a thing made to be similar or identical to another thing
  2. noun
    something additional of the same kind
    synonyms: extra
    see moresee less
    type of:
    artefact, artifact
    a man-made object taken as a whole
  3. adjective
    being two identical
    synonyms: matching, twin, twinned
    matched
    going well together; possessing harmonizing qualities
  4. adjective
    identically copied from an original
    “a duplicate key”
    synonyms:
    same
    closely similar or comparable in kind or quality or quantity or degree
Definitions of duplicate (/ˈduplɪˌkeɪt/)
  1. verb
    duplicate or match
    synonyms: parallel, twin
    see moresee less
    type of:
    agree, check, correspond, fit, gibe, jibe, match, tally
    be compatible, similar, or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
  2. verb
    make a duplicate or duplicates of
    “Could you please duplicate this letter for me?”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    reproduce
    make a copy or equivalent of
  3. verb
    make or do or perform again
    synonyms: double, reduplicate, repeat, replicate
    see moresee less
    types:
    copy, replicate
    reproduce or make an exact copy of
    recapitulate
    repeat stages of evolutionary development during the embryonic phase of life
    geminate, reduplicate
    form by reduplication
    type of:
    reproduce
    make a copy or equivalent of
  4. verb
    increase twofold
    synonyms: double
    see moresee less
    types:
    redouble
    double again
    geminate
    arrange or combine in pairs
    type of:
    manifold, multiply
    combine or increase by multiplication
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Vocabulary lists containing duplicate

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List 1

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