dual

1 of 2

adjective

du·​al ˈdü(-ə)l 

 also  ˈdyü-əl

1

of grammatical number : denoting reference to two

a dual pronoun

2

a

: consisting of two parts or elements or having two like parts : double

families with dual incomes

held dual citizenship in France and the U.S.

a dual function

a dual exhaust system

b

: having a double character or nature

dual

2 of 2

noun

1

linguistics : the dual (see dual entry 1 sense 1) number of a language

2

linguistics : a linguistic form in the dual

Synonyms

Adjective

• binary
• bipartite
• double
• double-barreled
• double-edged
• duplex
• twin
• twofold

Examples of dual in a Sentence

Adjective

the dual purpose of the study

She pursued dual careers in music and acting.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

His film career finally took off post-Zoolander, thanks in part to the dual success of Old School and Elf, both in 2003. —Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2024

If dual loyalty is an anti-Semitic trope, so is dual disloyalty. —Doron Weber, TIME, 27 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Latin dualis, from duo two — more at two

First Known Use

Adjective

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dual

• dual carriageway
• dual citizenship
• dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
• dual meet
• dual-purpose

Kids Definition

dual

adjective

du·​al

ˈd(y)ü-əl

1

: consisting of two parts or elements : having two parts alike

dual headphone jacks

2

: having a double character or nature

a dual function

dual citizenship

duality

d(y)ü-ˈal-ət-ē

noun

dually

ˈd(y)ü-ə-lē

adverb

Etymology

Adjective

from Latin dualis "dual," from duo "two" — related to deuce, double, dozen