First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1duplicate
adjective du·pli·cate \ˈdü-pli-kət also ˈdyü-\
: exactly the same as something else : made as an exact copy of something else
Full Definition of DUPLICATE
1
: consisting of or existing in two corresponding or identical parts or examples <duplicate invoices>
2
: being the same as another <duplicate copies>
See duplicate defined for English-language learners
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Origin of DUPLICATE
Middle English, from Latin duplicatus, past participle of duplicare to double, from duplic-, duplex
Related to DUPLICATE
- Antonyms
- different, disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinct, distinctive, distinguishable, diverse, nonidentical, other, unalike, unlike
2duplicate
verb du·pli·cate \ˈdü-pli-ˌkāt also ˈdyü-\
: to make an exact copy of (something)
: to produce (something) in another form
du·pli·cat·eddu·pli·cat·ing
Full Definition of DUPLICATE
transitive verb
1
: to make double or twofold
2
a : to make a copy of <a cell duplicates itself when it divides> b : to produce something equal to <trying to duplicate last year's success> c : to do over or again often needlessly <duplicated effort>
intransitive verb
: to become duplicated; also : repeat
— du·pli·ca·tive \-ˌkā-tiv\ adjective
See duplicate defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DUPLICATE
15th century
3duplicate
noun du·pli·cate \-kət\
: something that is exactly the same as something else : an exact copy of something else
Full Definition of DUPLICATE
1
a : either of two things exactly alike and usually produced at the same time or by the same process b : an additional copy of something (as a book or stamp) already in a collection
2
: one that resembles or corresponds to another : counterpart
3
: two identical copies —used in the phrase in duplicate
See duplicate defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DUPLICATE
1532
Related to DUPLICATE
- Synonyms
- alter ego, carbon, carbon copy, clone, counterpart, doppelgänger (or doppelganger), double, image, duplication, facsimile, fetch, likeness, look-alike, match, mirror image, picture, replica, ringer, spit, spitting image, twin
Synonym Discussion of DUPLICATE
reproduction, duplicate, copy, facsimile, replica mean a thing made to closely resemble another. reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing <reproductions from the museum's furniture collection>. duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing <a duplicate of a house key>. copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically <printed 1000 copies of the lithograph>. facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale <a facsimile of a rare book>. replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details <a replica of the Mayflower> but not always in the same scale <miniature replicas of classic cars>.
DUPLICATE Defined for Kids
1duplicate
adjective du·pli·cate \ˈdü-pli-kət, ˈdyü-\
Definition of DUPLICATE for Kids
: exactly the same as another <duplicate copies>
2duplicate
verb du·pli·cate \ˈdü-pli-ˌkāt, ˈdyü-\
du·pli·cat·eddu·pli·cat·ing
Definition of DUPLICATE for Kids
: to make an exact copy of
3duplicate
noun du·pli·cate \ˈdü-pli-kət, ˈdyü-\
Definition of DUPLICATE for Kids
: a thing that is exactly like another
Medical Dictionary
duplicate
intransitive verb du·pli·cate \ˈd(y)ü-pli-ˌkāt\
du·pli·cat·eddu·pli·cat·ing
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