duplicate

1.

/ˈdupləkət/

a copy that corresponds to an original exactly

2.

/ˈduplɪˌkeɪt/

identically copy or match

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

   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

   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