facsimile
gb/fæksˈɪməli/ us/fæksˈɪməli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
entity
1
an exact copy of something
a copy that looks exactly like the original
Usage pattern:
a facsimile of [something]
Common mistake:
Often misspelled as *fascimile*; also confused with *simile* (a type of comparison).
Synonyms
replica (Often used for physical objects; not always exact.)
|
reproduction (Emphasizes the process or result of copying, especially in print.)
|
copy (More general and less formal; may be imperfect.)
Antonyms
original (The first version from which copies are made.)
Collocations
a facsimile of the original
|a facsimile copy
|a facsimile reproduction
|a facsimile signature
|a facsimile document
|a facsimile map
|a facsimile manuscript
|a facsimile drawing
|high-quality facsimile
|create a facsimile
Themes
media
|publishing
|documents
|technology
Examples
- The museum shop sells facsimiles of the famous manuscript pages.
- Researchers studied a facsimile of the letter because the original is too fragile to handle.
- The contract included a facsimile signature rather than a handwritten one.
Learner examples
- This is a facsimile of the original document.
- We used a facsimile because the original was damaged.
Noun
business
B2
entity
2
a document sent by fax
a fax message or faxed document
Usage pattern:
send [something] by facsimile; receive a facsimile
Common mistake:
In modern English, most people say *fax* rather than *facsimile* for this meaning.
Synonyms
fax (Much more common in everyday use.)
Collocations
send a facsimile
|receive a facsimile
|facsimile transmission
|facsimile message
|facsimile copy
|by facsimile
|facsimile machine
|facsimile number
|confirm by facsimile
|facsimile service
Themes
business
|communication
|technology
|documents
Examples
- Please send the signed form by facsimile before 5 p.m.
- We received a facsimile confirming the appointment time.
- The clinic still accepts facsimiles for referrals.
Learner examples
- I will send the document by facsimile.
- Did you get my facsimile?
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
made as an exact copy
an exact-copy version of something
Usage pattern:
a facsimile [edition/copy/reproduction]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with *similar*; *facsimile* implies copying the original closely.
Synonyms
reproduced (Broader and less formal; may not be exact.)
|
replicated (Often used for objects or processes; not specifically publishing.)
Antonyms
original (Not a copy; the first authentic item.)
Collocations
facsimile edition
|facsimile copy
|facsimile reproduction
|facsimile printing
|facsimile page
|facsimile text
|facsimile manuscript
|facsimile map
|facsimile format
|facsimile version
Themes
publishing
|media
|art
|history
Examples
- The library released a facsimile edition of the 17th-century atlas.
- The exhibition displayed facsimile pages so visitors could turn them safely.
- They used facsimile printing to match the look of the original newspaper.
Learner examples
- We bought a facsimile edition of the book.
- These are facsimile pages, not the real ones.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
4
a close imitation, not genuine
something that looks like the real thing but isn’t
Usage pattern:
a facsimile of [something]
Common mistake:
This sense is often figurative; it does not necessarily mean an exact physical copy.
Synonyms
imitation (Can be less formal; may suggest deliberate copying.)
|
semblance (Emphasizes outward appearance rather than a copy.)
Antonyms
authenticity (The quality of being genuine rather than copied or imitated.)
|
reality (What is true or real, not merely an imitation.)
Collocations
a facsimile of happiness
|a facsimile of normality
|a facsimile of the truth
|a facsimile of friendship
|a facsimile of democracy
|create a facsimile of
|only a facsimile
|mere facsimile
|thin facsimile
|convincing facsimile
Themes
evaluation
|society
|art
|communication
Examples
- After the scandal, the company offered only a facsimile of transparency.
- The new policy created a facsimile of choice without real options.
- He maintained a facsimile of calm even though he was furious.
Learner examples
- It was only a facsimile of the real thing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
facsimile
IPA
GB/fæksˈɪməli/
US/fæksˈɪməli/
Syllables & stress
fac - sim - ile (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sim)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: facsimile
- Plural: facsimiles
Word family
Forms
facsimiles
noun
Core family
fax
noun B1
Expressions
by facsimile
1/bˈaɪ fæksˈɪməli/
fixed phrase
business
sent using a fax
using fax to send something
Examples
- Please return the completed form by facsimile.
- The documents were submitted by facsimile and then mailed as originals.
- She sent the authorization by facsimile to meet the deadline.
facsimile edition
1/fæksˈɪməli ɪdˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
a faithfully reproduced edition
a copy edition that looks like the original
Examples
- They published a facsimile edition of the first printing of the novel.
- The facsimile edition preserves the original typography and page numbers.
- Students consulted a facsimile edition instead of handling the rare book.
in facsimile
1/ˈɪn fæksˈɪməli/
fixed phrase
formal
reproduced exactly in copy form
as an exact-looking copy
Examples
- The letter is printed in facsimile on the museum website.
- Several pages are reproduced in facsimile at the back of the book.
- The archive released the map in facsimile for public use.