ditto

noun

dit·to | \ˈdi-(ˌ)tō

plural dittos

Definition of ditto

(Entry 1 of 4)

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

2 : a ditto mark

ditto

adjective

dit·to | \ˈdi-(ˌ)tō

Definition of ditto (Entry 2 of 4)

: having the same characteristics : similar

ditto

adverb

dit·to | \ˈdi-(ˌ)tō

Definition of ditto (Entry 3 of 4)

: as before or aforesaid : in the same manner

ditto

verb

dit·to | \ˈdi-(ˌ)tō

Definition of ditto (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to repeat the action or statement of

2 [ from Ditto, a trademark ] : to copy (something, such as printed matter) on a duplicator

Examples of ditto in a Sentence

Noun

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

Adjective

another mega mall filled with chain stores selling ditto merchandise

Adverb

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.

Verb

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 on the Web: Noun

Hot water also helps to melt grease off pots, utensils, and your sink; ditto for a dishwasher with a steam function. — Allison Young, Good Housekeeping, "How To Make A DIY Face Cream With Skin-Protecting Essential Oils," 15 Nov. 2017 The main level includes a parlor with a massive brick fireplace originally used for cooking, a living room (also with a working fireplace) and a study (ditto). — Julie Lasky, New York Times, "$600,000 Homes in Florida, Connecticut and California," 24 Jan. 2018 The George Fox women are No. 3 and ditto for the George Fox men in the USTFCCCA's NCAA Division III rankings. — OregonLive.com, "Remembering Jon Hendershott; the latest on Mt. SAC's stadium; Oregon track & field rundown," 12 Apr. 2018 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

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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

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.