carbon copy

noun

Synonyms of carbon copynext
1
: a copy made by carbon paper
2
: duplicate
is a carbon copy of his father

Examples of carbon copy in a Sentence

I'll need a carbon copy of that receipt. She's a carbon copy of her mother.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Schutz Scarlett Mid Slingback Sandal Run, don’t walk to snag these slingback sandals that are practically a carbon copy for Jenner’s shoes. Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 22 June 2026 Their second and third goals were almost carbon copies, too. Carl Anka, New York Times, 20 June 2026 From the outside, the villa was almost a carbon copy of the Tuscan farmhouse (renovated by Crosby Studios) that graced AD’s October 2025 cover, though with a lot less chrome in the interior. Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026 Of course, these three chipmakers aren't carbon copies of each other — for example, Intel has a fledgling third-party manufacturing business that's excited investors. Zev Fima, CNBC, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for carbon copy

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbon copy was in 1876

Cite this Entry

“Carbon copy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20copy. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

carbon copy

noun
1
: a copy made with carbon paper
2

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