double
gb/dˈʌbəl/ us/dˈʌbəl/
A2
English
~ 1800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Twice as much or many
Two times as big in size, amount, or number.
Usage pattern:
[something] is double [something else]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'double' (adjective) with 'twice' (adverb) and may place it incorrectly in a sentence.
Synonyms
twice (Focuses on the multiplier without implying a physical form.)
Antonyms
half (Means 50% of something, the opposite of twice as much.)
Collocations
double portion
|double room
|double pay
|double digits
Themes
measurement
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The recipe calls for double the amount of sugar.
- We booked a double room for the weekend.
- Sales have more than double the expected figure this month.
Learner examples
- I need double the water for this soup.
- She ordered a double coffee.
- This bag costs double my budget.
Verb
B1
action
2
Increase twofold
To make something two times bigger, or to become two times bigger.
Usage pattern:
to double [something]
Common mistake:
Sometimes learners confuse 'double' (verb) with 'duplicate', which means to make an exact copy rather than increase quantity.
Synonyms
multiply by two (More mathematical and less common in casual speech.)
Antonyms
halve (To reduce something to half its original amount.)
Collocations
double production
|double profits
|double speed
|double the dose
Themes
measurement
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company plans to double its workforce next year.
- My income has doubled since I changed jobs.
- They doubled the recipe to feed everyone.
Learner examples
- The store doubled its prices.
- My phone bill doubled last month.
- We doubled the rice for dinner.
Noun
A2
entity
3
An amount that is twice as much
Something that is two times bigger than normal.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'duplicate', which means an exact copy, not a larger quantity.
Synonyms
twofold amount (More formal and less common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
single (Refers to one unit instead of two.)
Collocations
a double of whiskey
|a double portion
|a double room
Themes
measurement
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I'll have a double of rum, please.
- We ordered two doubles of espresso.
- He asked for a double portion of fries.
Learner examples
- I want a double of juice.
- She ordered a double burger.
- He poured a double of milk.
Noun
B1
entity
4
Substitute performer or stand-in
A person who does something instead of another person, usually in acting or sports.
Synonyms
stand-in (Often temporary or informal replacement, not always for dangerous scenes.)
Antonyms
original performer (The actual person doing the role themselves.)
Collocations
stunt double
|body double
Themes
entertainment
|sports
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The stunt double performed the dangerous jump.
- They hired a body double for the actor's nude scene.
- Her tennis double played when she was injured.
Learner examples
- The actor has a stunt double.
- A body double was used in the movie.
- He is my tennis double.
adjective
A2
property
5
Having two similar parts together
Made of two same parts that are joined together.
Synonyms
paired (Emphasizes being arranged in pairs, not necessarily identical.)
Antonyms
single (Consisting of only one part or unit.)
Collocations
double doors
|double bed
Themes
objects
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We have a double bed in our room.
- The house has large double doors at the entrance.
- He ordered a double cheeseburger.
Learner examples
- I sleep in a double bed.
- The gate has double doors.
- She bought a double sandwich.
Grammar
Dictionary form
double
IPA
GB/dˈʌbəl/
US/dˈʌbəl/
Syllables & stress
double (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (double)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: double
Noun
- Base: double
- Plural: double, doubles
Verb
- Base: double
- 3rd Person Singular: doubles
- Present Participle: doubling
- Past: doubled
Word family
Expressions
double down
1/dˈʌbəl dˈaʊn/
phrasal verb
informal
Increase effort or commitment
To work harder or give more effort to something, especially after problems happen.
Examples
- After losing the first round, the team decided to double down in training.
- He doubled down on his plan despite criticism.
double up
1/dˈʌbəl ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Share or fold over into two parts/layers
To share something with someone else, or to fold something so it has two layers.
Examples
- We had to double up in rooms because of limited space.
- Double up the blanket for extra warmth.
on the double
1/ˈɔn ðə dˈʌbəl/
idiom
informal
Do immediately and quickly
Right away and very fast.
Examples
- Get over here on the double!
- The captain ordered them to move on the double.
see double
1/sˈi dˈʌbəl/
idiom
Perceive two images of one object
To see two of everything because your eyes are not working normally.
Examples
- After hitting his head, he started seeing double.
- I was so tired I began to see double.