ditto

noun dit·to \ ˈdi-(ˌ)tō \

|Updated on: 4 Jul 2018

Definition of ditto

plural dittos

1 : a thing mentioned previously or above —used to avoid repeating a word —often symbolized by inverted commas or apostrophes

2 : a ditto mark

See ditto defined for English-language learners

See ditto defined for kids

Examples of ditto in a Sentence

Until recently most of us believed that such regimens, which usually require a personal trainer, were available only to women whose bodies are their fortune (think Madonna), or who have nothing better to do with their time (ditto). —Jennifer Newman, Elle, June 1993
Flexner is especially good at showing how misguided attempts to repair furniture can cause more problems than they solve. Using a nail instead of glue to tighten a loose leg on an old chair (as I myself have done) will often destroy the chair, by splitting the wood and ruining the joint (ditto). —David Owen, Atlantic, September 1989
David is not exactly a crank who writes to writers, although he is probably a bit of that too. I don't know how he gets his living, or whether his letters romanticize either his poverty (he reports only a hunger for books) or his passion (ditto); still, David is a free intellect, a free imagination. —Cynthia Ozick, New York Times Book Review, 25 Mar. 1984

Recent Examples of ditto from the Web

An average pair of tactical pants won’t set you back more than $50; ditto for polos.

— rebecca jennings, Vox, "Scott Pruitt isn’t the only one spending thousands on “tactical pants”," 21 June 2018
This year’s governor’s race may set Gavin Newsom, a Democrat and former mayor, against Antonio Villaraigosa (ditto).

— The Economist, "California’s primaries are the most unpredictable in America," 17 May 2018
The Patriots were a candidate at 23, ditto for Jacksonville at 29.

— robert klemko, SI.com, "Draft Notes: For Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, the Wait Was Worth It," 27 Apr. 2018
The rest: Fox's and Chernin's Jennifer Lawrence spy flick Red Sparrow is tracking for an opening in the mid-teens, if not higher; ditto for MGM's Bruce Willis-starring Death Wish.

— ray rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, "What Matters in Hollywood Today," 1 Mar. 2018
Fabric is frequently taken from a mill, dyed at a second facility (owned by the same parent company) and then sewn into finished garments at a third factory (ditto).

— adam matthews, Newsweek, "The Environmental Crisis in Your Closet," 13 Aug. 2015
If the dynamic Embiid somehow makes it to 60 or so games – and ditto for Ben Simmons – the Philadelphia 76ers are going to be a hit.

— ailene voisin, sacbee, "Can anyone defeat Golden State? Heck no, so enjoy the ride. One former King is.," 16 Oct. 2017
The seeds did improve yield compared with the local Obatanpa variety, but Ghanaians couldn’t afford to purchase more for the following year’s crop; ditto the chemical inputs (pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers) that ensured success.

— sarah mccoll, Smithsonian, "The Complicated Growth of 4-H," 26 July 2017
Operate without enough pressure on the wheel, ditto.

— scott sturgis, Philly.com, "Putting Nissan's autonomous-driving features to the test," 15 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ditto.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ditto

Italian ditto, detto, past participle of dire to say, from Latin dicere — more at diction

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1639

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Printing Terms

epigraph, errata, leader, mechanical, notch, tittle, underscore, widow

ditto

adjective dit·to \ ˈdi-(ˌ)tō \

Definition of ditto

: having the same characteristics : similar

Examples of ditto in a Sentence

another mega mall filled with chain stores selling ditto merchandise

Origin and Etymology of ditto

see ¹ditto

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1668

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

ditto

adverb dit·to \ ˈdi-(ˌ)tō \

Definition of ditto

: as before or aforesaid : in the same manner

See ditto defined for English-language learners

Examples of ditto in a Sentence

I worry that I don't have whatever synapses you need to anticipate fun. Although I often enjoy parties, I don't look forward to them. Ditto travel, romantic dinners, even shopping. —O, The Oprah Magazine, January 2007
Work your way up through the faculty ranks, they said. Don't get pigeonholed by focusing on affirmative action or African-American studies. Ditto for women's issues. Good advice, maybe, but Simmons, 56, the new president of Brown University, never paid much attention to it. —Barbara Kantrowitz, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2001/7 Jan. 2002
She sinks to her knees and seizes a package, eagerly looking at the tag. It will be from her, or to her, and she will recognize her own name. But the card is blank. Ditto the next package; ditto the third. They are all blank. —Mary Tannen, New York Times Magazine, 20 Dec. 1998
Tuesday was spent working all day, and Wednesday was spent ditto.

Recent Examples of ditto from the Web

The seeds did improve yield compared with the local Obatanpa variety, but Ghanaians couldn’t afford to purchase more for the following year’s crop; ditto the chemical inputs (pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers) that ensured success.

— sarah mccoll, Smithsonian, "The Complicated Growth of 4-H," 26 July 2017
The offensive line is decent, ditto the defensive line and the young corners.

— gary gramling, SI.com, "Week 5: Vintage Cam Newton on the Field, Chiefs Primed to Fall in Houston, What the Rams Need to Show Against Seattle," 8 Oct. 2017
Ditto his ability to transcend even so-so songs through the sheer force of his musical skills and personality.

— george varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Elvis Presley, 40 years after his death, remains an icon and a cautionary tale," 6 Aug. 2017
Yes, chairs on wheels whiz in and out, ditto a desk, people run around in circles and bob up and down at will.

— joanne engelhardt, The Mercury News, "If you stay awake, ‘[title of show]’ is an easy time in the theater," 31 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of ditto

see ¹ditto

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1706

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

ditto

verb dit·to \ ˈdi-(ˌ)tō \

Definition of ditto

transitive verb

1 : to repeat the action or statement of

[from Ditto, a trademark]

: to copy (something, such as printed matter) on a duplicator

Examples of ditto in a Sentence

My favorite was "Sports Collector's News" (the exact pluralization and positioning of the apostrophe I can't quite remember), a dittoed journal produced in some Wisconsin backwater by a man with a Ukrainian surname. —Alexander Wolff, Sports Illustrated, 15 Sept. 1986
since you've said what I wanted to say—only better—I will just ditto your comments in my final report

Recent Examples of ditto from the Web

Sarah’s devotion to her spooky mansion has raised alarm, ditto her proclamations that the estate is haunted by victims of Winchester firearms.

— ben sachs, Chicago Reader, "Film / Paranormal The new horror film Winchester is a missed opportunity," 6 Feb. 2018
The offensive line is decent, ditto the defensive line and the young corners.

— gary gramling, SI.com, "Week 5: Vintage Cam Newton on the Field, Chiefs Primed to Fall in Houston, What the Rams Need to Show Against Seattle," 8 Oct. 2017

Origin and Etymology of ditto

see ¹ditto

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1725

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

DITTO Defined for English Language Learners

ditto

noun

Definition of ditto for English Language Learners

: a pair of marks " used underneath a word to save space and show that the word is repeated where the marks are

ditto

adverb

Definition of ditto for English Language Learners

—used to say that whatever you have said about one person or thing is also true of another person or thing
—used in speech to show you agree with what someone has just said or have the same opinion