copy
Americannoun
plural
copies-
an imitation, reproduction, or transcript of an original.
a copy of a famous painting.
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one of the various examples or specimens of the same book, engraving, or the like.
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written matter intended to be reproduced in printed form.
The editor sent the copy for the next issue to the printer.
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the text of a news story, advertisement, television commercial, etc., as distinguished from related visual material.
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the newsworthiness of a person, thing, or event (often preceded by good orbad ).
The president is always good copy.
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Computers. an exact duplicate of a file, program, etc..
Keep a backup copy of the document.
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Genetics. replication.
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Printing. pictures and artwork prepared for reproduction.
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British Informal. (in schools) a composition; a written assignment.
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British. a size of drawing or writing paper, 16 × 20 inches (40 × 50 centimeters).
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Archaic. something that is to be reproduced; an example or pattern, as of penmanship to be copied by a pupil.
verb (used with object)
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to make a copy of; transcribe; reproduce.
to copy a set of figures from a book.
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to receive and understand (a radio message or its sender).
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to follow as a pattern or model; imitate.
- Antonyms:
- originate
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Computers. to make an exact duplicate of (a file, selected text, etc.) and store in another location or in temporary memory.
Can I copy the program to another computer? Copy the selected paragraph to the clipboard.
verb (used without object)
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to make a copy or copies.
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to undergo copying.
It copied poorly.
I can't install the program—one file won't copy.
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to hear or receive a radio message, as over a CB radio.
Do you copy?
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Newfoundland. Also to leap from one ice pan to another across open water.
idioms
noun
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an imitation or reproduction of an original
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a single specimen of something that occurs in a multiple edition, such as a book, article, etc
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matter to be reproduced in print
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written matter or text as distinct from graphic material in books, newspapers, etc
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the words used to present a promotional message in an advertisement
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informal journalism suitable material for an article or story
disasters are always good copy
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archaic a model to be copied, esp an example of penmanship
verb
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to make a copy or reproduction of (an original)
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(tr) to imitate as a model
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(intr) to imitate unfairly
Related Words
See imitate.
Other Word Forms
- precopy noun
- recopy verb (used with object)
- uncopied adjective
- well-copied adjective
Etymology
Origin of copy
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English copie (from Anglo-French ) from Medieval Latin cōpia “abundance, something copied,” Latin: “wealth, abundance”; copious; copy ( def. 18 ) originally a children's game, from the phrase copy the leader
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Genetic information stored in DNA is first copied into RNA.
From Science Daily
Some have made big money mimicking the trades of potential insiders with specialized software that can instantly copy the moves of any trader on Polymarket, which posts all of its transactions to the blockchain.
From Barron's
Trustworthy tax professionals will put their preparer tax identification number on a client’s return and also provide a copy of the return for the filer’s records, the IRS said in a bulletin about tax fraud.
From MarketWatch
That included copies of all correspondence sent and received, tracking spreadsheets and logs and recordings of every call.
From MarketWatch
Just this once, I made an exception to the Journal rule that forbids showing sources advance copy and sent the draft to Greenspan’s spokesman for a gut check.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
