copy

¹copy

noun \ˈkä-pē\

plural cop·ies

Definition of COPY

1

: an imitation, transcript, or reproduction of an original work (as a letter, a painting, a table, or a dress)

2

: one of a series of especially mechanical reproductions of an original impression; also : an individual example of such a reproduction

3

archaic : something to be imitated : model

4

a : matter to be set especially for printing

b : something considered printable or newsworthy —used without an article <remarks that make good copy — Norman Cousins>

c : text especially of an advertisement

5

: duplicate 1a <a copy of a computer file> <a copy of a gene>

Examples of COPY

1. The novel has sold more than a million copies.
2. She got a job writing advertising copy.
3. All copy must be submitted by 5 p.m.

Origin of COPY

Middle English copie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin copia, from Latin, abundance — more at copious

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to COPY

Synonyms

carbon, carbon copy, clone, dummy, dupe, duplicate, duplication, facsimile, imitation, mock, reduplication, replica, replication, reproduction

Antonyms

archetype, original, prototype

Related Words

counterfeit, fake, forgery, knockoff, phony (also phoney), rip-off, rubber stamp, sham; miniature, mock-up, simulation; reconstruction, re-creation; image, likeness, semblance, shadow; impression, imprint, print; approximation, reincarnation, version; extra, reserve, spare

See Synonym Discussion at reproduction

Rhymes with COPY

choppy, crappie, floppy, gloppy, hoppy, kopje, poppy, sloppy, soppy, stroppy

²copy

verb

cop·iedcopy·ing

Definition of COPY

transitive verb

1

: to make a copy or duplicate of <copy a document> <copy a computer file>

2

: to model oneself on

intransitive verb

1

: to make a copy

2

: to undergo copying <the map did not copy well>

Examples of COPY

1. She copied the design on a piece of paper.
2. Copy the file to your hard drive.
3. The bills are designed to prevent copying by counterfeiters.
4. We caught him copying the answers out of the book.
5. We caught him copying out of the book.
6. The speech was copied word for word.
7. His music was copied widely.
8. Their competitors soon copied the idea.

First Known Use of COPY

14th century

Related to COPY

Synonyms

clone, copycat, duplicate, imitate, reduplicate, render, replicate, reproduce

Antonyms

originate

Related Words

counterfeit, fake, forge, knock off, rip off; mimic, simulate; reconstruct, re-create

Near Antonyms

create, imagine, initiate, invent

Synonym Discussion of COPY

copy, imitate, mimic, ape, mock mean to make something so that it resembles an existing thing. copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible <copied the painting and sold the fake as an original>. imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation <imitate a poet's style>. mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation <pupils mimicking their teacher>. ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original <American fashion designers aped their European colleagues>. mock usually implies imitation with derision <mocking a vain man's pompous manner>.

Rhymes with COPY

choppy, floppy