copy
gb/kˈɑpi/ us/kˈɑpi/
A2
English
~ 1200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
An identical reproduction of something
Something that looks exactly the same as another thing.
Usage pattern:
a copy of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'copy' (a physical or digital duplicate) with 'version' (a form or variation of something).
Synonyms
duplicate (Often used in formal or technical contexts for an exact match.)
Antonyms
original (The first or earliest form from which copies are made.)
Collocations
make a copy
|hard copy
|digital copy
|exact copy
Themes
media
|technology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- I made a copy of the report for each team member.
- Please send me a digital copy of the photo.
- This is an exact copy of the original painting.
- The library has a rare copy of the first edition.
- Always keep a backup copy of your work.
Learner examples
- I have a copy of the book.
- Can you give me a copy of the file?
- This is a copy of my passport.
- I need a copy for my records.
Verb
A2
action
2
To make an exact reproduction
To make something that looks exactly like another thing.
Usage pattern:
to copy [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'copy' with 'paste' when talking about computers; 'copy' means to duplicate, 'paste' means to insert the duplicate somewhere else.
Synonyms
reproduce (Often used in more formal contexts, especially for art or documents.)
Antonyms
create (To make something new rather than duplicating an existing thing.)
Collocations
copy text
|copy files
|copy homework
|copy a design
Themes
technology
|education
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She copied the recipe from a magazine.
- You can copy the file to your USB drive.
- Don't just copy my answers during the test.
- He carefully copied the painting brushstroke by brushstroke.
- The program allows you to copy and paste text easily.
Learner examples
- I will copy this picture.
- Please copy this file to my computer.
- He copied my homework.
- Can you copy this list for me?
Noun
B2
entity
3
Text for printing or broadcasting
The words that are written for newspapers, ads, or TV shows before they are printed or shown.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'a copy of something'; here it means text itself, not a duplicate.
Synonyms
manuscript (Usually refers to a complete draft of a book or document before publication.)
Antonyms
blank page (Lack of any written material.)
Collocations
advertising copy
|news copy
|edit copy
Themes
media
|business
|communication
Examples
- The journalist submitted her copy before the deadline.
- The advertising agency wrote new copy for the campaign.
- Editors are working on improving the copy for clarity.
- We need fresh copy to attract more readers.
Learner examples
- The writer sent his copy to the editor.
- The ad needs better copy.
- She read the news copy on air.
Verb
B1
action
4
To imitate someone's actions or style
To do the same thing that someone else does.
Usage pattern:
to copy [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'copy' here with making a physical duplicate; in this case it means imitating actions, not objects.
Synonyms
imitate (A more general term for doing something in the same way as someone else.)
Antonyms
originate (To create something new instead of imitating others.)
Collocations
copy someone's style
|copy someone's moves
Themes
social
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- Children often copy their parents' behavior.
- He copied her accent perfectly.
- Stop copying everything I do!
- New artists sometimes copy established ones before finding their own style.
Learner examples
- The baby copies his father.
- I copied my friend's dance moves.
- She copies her teacher's handwriting.
Grammar
Dictionary form
copy
IPA
GB/kˈɑpi/
US/kˈɑpi/
Syllables & stress
copy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (copy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: copy
- Plural: copies, copy
Verb
- Base: copy
- 3rd Person Singular: copies
- Present Participle: copying
- Past: copied
Word family
Expressions
carbon copy
4/kˈɑɹbən kˈɑpi/
fixed phrase
Exact duplicate of something
An exact copy of something.
Examples
- He's a carbon copy of his father in looks and mannerisms.
- The report you received is a carbon copy of the one sent to headquarters.
- The second document is just a carbon copy of the first.
- He is almost a carbon copy of his father in looks and mannerisms.
copy and paste
1/kˈɑpi ˈænd pˈeɪst/
fixed phrase
Duplicate and insert digital content
To make a copy of text, images, or files on a computer and put them somewhere else.
Examples
- You can copy and paste the link into your browser.
- You can just copy and paste the address from the email into your browser.
- I copied and pasted the paragraph into my essay.
- Don’t copy and paste whole paragraphs from the internet into your essay.
- I’ll copy and paste the table into the new document so we don’t have to rebuild it.
copycat
1/kˈɑpikˌæt/
fixed phrase
informal
A person who imitates others
Someone who does the same things as another person.
Examples
- Don't be such a copycat; find your own ideas.
- Don't be such a copycat—think of your own ideas.
- Her little brother is always being a copycat.
- She called him a copycat for wearing the same outfit.