duplicate
gb/dˈuplɪkɪt/ us/dˈuplɪkɪt/
B1
English
~ 8800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
make an exact copy
To make something that is exactly the same as another thing.
Usage pattern:
to duplicate [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "double" instead of "duplicate" (e.g., *double a file*). Use "duplicate a file" or simply "copy a file" when you mean to make an exact copy, especially in technical or office contexts.
Synonyms
copy (Most general and common word for making another version of something.)
|
replicate (Slightly more formal or technical; often used for experiments, data, or processes.)
Antonyms
destroy (Opposite because it removes something instead of making another version of it.)
Collocations
duplicate a file
|duplicate a key
|duplicate a document
|duplicate a record
|duplicate the results
Themes
technology
|business
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Please duplicate this contract and send a copy to each partner.
- Make sure you duplicate the file before you start editing it.
- The locksmith can duplicate your house key in a few minutes.
- The lab was unable to duplicate the original experiment.
- We need to duplicate the database for backup purposes.
Learner examples
- I asked her to duplicate the form for me.
- He duplicated the photo and gave one to each friend.
- You should duplicate your important files.
- The shop can duplicate any type of key.
- She duplicated the list so everyone could have one.
Noun
B1
entity
2
an exact copy of something
Something that is exactly the same as another thing; a copy.
Usage pattern:
a duplicate of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may say "make a duplicate of copy" or "duplicate copy" when only one word is needed. Say "make a copy" or "make a duplicate of the contract," not *"duplicate of copy".* Note that native speakers do sometimes say "duplicate copy" in speech, but it is considered redundant in careful writing.
Synonyms
copy (Most common everyday term for something made to be like another thing.)
|
replica (Often used for physical objects; can suggest a carefully made or official copy.)
Antonyms
original (Opposite because it is the first or main version, not the copy.)
Collocations
an exact duplicate
|a duplicate of the original
|keep a duplicate
|duplicate key
|duplicate copy
Themes
business
|technology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- Keep a duplicate of your passport in a safe place.
- The museum keeps a duplicate of the painting in storage.
- I always carry a duplicate key in my wallet.
- Please send the contract and one duplicate to our office.
- The system flagged the second file as a duplicate.
Learner examples
- He made a duplicate of the key.
- I need a duplicate of this letter.
- We keep a duplicate of every invoice.
- This is a duplicate of the report from last week.
- The second card is just a duplicate.
Verb
B2
action
3
repeat work or process needlessly
To do the same work or process again when it is not needed.
Usage pattern:
to duplicate [work/process/effort]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use only "repeat" where "duplicate" is better in business or technical contexts, especially with "work," "efforts," or "data." "Repeat" can be neutral or positive, but "duplicate" here often suggests waste or error.
Synonyms
repeat (General word; does not always suggest that the extra action is unnecessary.)
|
overlap (Suggests two people or processes are doing the same thing at the same time.)
Antonyms
streamline (Opposite because it removes extra or repeated work instead of creating it.)
Collocations
duplicate efforts
|duplicate work
|duplicate data
|duplicate records
|avoid duplicating tasks
Themes
business
|management
|technology
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- The new system will help us avoid duplicating work across departments.
- We are currently duplicating efforts, with two teams collecting the same data.
- Make sure you do not duplicate any entries in the database.
- The manager asked them not to duplicate each other's tasks.
- This function duplicates existing code instead of reusing it.
Learner examples
- Two teams duplicated the same work.
- Please do not duplicate this task.
- We want to save time by not duplicating jobs.
- The database duplicated some records by mistake.
- They duplicated the survey and asked the same questions again.
Verb
B2
action
4
achieve the same success again
To reach the same result or success again as before, or as another person or group.
Usage pattern:
to duplicate [someone's/its] success/results
Common mistake:
Learners may think this verb always means making a physical copy. In sports, business, and science, "duplicate" often means to reach the same result again, not to copy an object.
Synonyms
match (Emphasizes being equal in level or quality, not necessarily literally copying.)
|
recreate (Focuses on producing the same effect or experience again.)
Antonyms
fall short (Opposite because it means failing to reach the same level or result.)
Collocations
duplicate last year's success
|duplicate the results
|duplicate the performance
|duplicate the achievement
|try to duplicate the feat
Themes
sports
|business
|entertainment
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- The team hopes to duplicate last season's success.
- No other company has been able to duplicate their results.
- The sequel failed to duplicate the impact of the original movie.
- She is trying to duplicate the performance she gave in the finals.
- The experiment was carefully designed so other labs could duplicate the findings.
Learner examples
- The singer could not duplicate his early success.
- Our company wants to duplicate the results in other markets.
- The new book did not duplicate the first book's sales.
- They tried to duplicate the win from last year.
- Another group will try to duplicate the study.
unknown
B2
property
5
being an exact copy or extra
Exactly the same as another thing; a copy or extra of something.
Usage pattern:
duplicate [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "duplicated" before a noun instead of "duplicate" (e.g., *a duplicated key*). The normal form before a noun is "duplicate key," "duplicate copy," or "duplicate ticket."
Synonyms
identical (Very close in meaning; emphasizes that there is no difference at all.)
|
spare (Focuses on being an extra available to use, not just on being an exact copy.)
Antonyms
unique (Opposite because it means being the only one of its kind.)
Collocations
duplicate key
|duplicate form
|duplicate payment
|duplicate entry
|duplicate ticket
Themes
business
|law
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You should leave a duplicate key with a neighbor in case of emergency.
- The system detected a duplicate entry in the customer database.
- Please destroy any duplicate copies of this confidential document.
- The bank charged me a duplicate fee by mistake.
- We issued duplicate tickets after the originals were lost.
Learner examples
- He always keeps a duplicate key at home.
- The form has two duplicate pages.
- The computer found a duplicate record.
- She paid a duplicate fee by accident.
- They printed a duplicate ticket for me.
Grammar
Dictionary form
duplicate
IPA
GB/dˈuplɪkɪt/
US/dˈuplɪkɪt/
Syllables & stress
du - plic - ate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (du)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: duplicate
- Plural: duplicate, duplicates
Verb
- Base: duplicate
- 3rd Person Singular: duplicates
- Present Participle: duplicating
- Past: duplicated
Word family
Forms
duplicates
noun
duplicating
verb
duplicated
verb
Core family
duplication
noun B2
Related words
duplicator
noun
Advanced or less common
duplicative
adjective
deduplicate
verb
deduplication
noun
Expressions
in duplicate
1/ˈɪn dˈuplɪkɪt/
fixed phrase
formal
in two identical copies
In two copies that are exactly the same, usually for official papers.
Examples
- Please submit the application in duplicate to the main office.
- The contract must be signed in duplicate and kept by both parties.
- All forms should be filed in duplicate for our records.