replica

noun

rep·​li·​ca ˈre-pli-kə 

1

: an exact reproduction (as of a painting) executed by the original artist

A replica of this was painted … this year.

—Constance Strachey

2

: a copy exact in all details

DNA makes a replica of itself

sailed a replica of the Viking ship

broadly : copy

… this faithful, pathetic replica of a Midwestern suburb …

—G. F. Kennan

Synonyms of replica

• image
• twin
• clone
• picture
• duplicate
• portrait
• counterpart

Choose the Right Synonym for replica

reproduction, duplicate, copy, facsimile, replica mean a thing made to closely resemble another.

reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details

a replica of the Mayflower

but not always in the same scale.

miniature replicas of classic cars

Examples of replica in a Sentence

We toured a replica of the ship.

It's an authentic replica of an ancient Greek urn.

Recent Examples on the Web

For the semiquincentennial celebrations, there will be replicas displayed across Philadelphia and around the state. —Nikki Dementri, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026

At one point, the Port of Astoria dispatched a 32-foot fiberglass replica of sea lions’ primary predator, the orca, outfitted with real orca sounds, that almost immediately capsized. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026

Elsewhere, young ones can hone their creativity in the art lab, experiment in the STEAM lab, or explore a replica of Fenway Park’s rooftop garden, where produce is grown on site. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026

The ascent takes about an hour, and venders along the way sell religious images and replicas of the cross, as well as roasted corn and Inca Kola. —Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, "repetition, reply, copy of a work of art," noun derivative of replicare "to repeat, reply," borrowed from Latin replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply") — more at replicate entry 1

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

replica

noun

rep·​li·​ca ˈrep-li-kə 

1

: a close reproduction especially by the maker of the original

2

: a copy exact in all details : duplicate