carbon copy

noun

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.
Of course, the region and its wines aren’t mere carbon copies of Burgundy—and the differences in geology are one reason why. Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2025 An offense that wants to be in 12 personnel as often as the Commanders do (on about 24 percent of offensive snaps since the start of last season) had to build a tight ends room where players weren’t just carbon copies, but had above-average traits in areas that complemented one another. Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025 Momentum is building behind the idea of ‘EU–INC’ – not a carbon copy of the Delaware model, but a fresh, pan-European corporate entity that will set a new global standard for business formation. Jan Hammer, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025 Sound like a carbon copy of last week’s Bay Area weather? Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025 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 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

carbon copy

noun
1
: a copy made with carbon paper
2

More from Merriam-Webster on carbon copy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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