ditto

noun

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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

Definition of ditto (Entry 2 of 4)

: having the same characteristics : similar

ditto

adverb

Definition of ditto (Entry 3 of 4)

: as before or aforesaid : in the same manner

ditto

verb

dittoed; dittoing; dittos

Definition of ditto (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to repeat the action or statement of

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

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about ditto

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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: 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 Don’t miss: The menu doesn’t veer too far from the Wendy’s-McDonald’s-Burger King orbit, but the burgers are a cut above their Golden Arches brethren; ditto the fried chicken sandwich, with its crisp, peppery coating and juicy, abundant meat. — Rick Nelson, Star Tribune, "7 Twin Cities drive-in restaurants that turn your car into a dining room," 29 July 2020 Most Europeans overwhelmingly prefer conventional fuels (ditto Americans: 95% of their cars are petrol-driven). — The Economist, "What does your car run on?," 7 Nov. 2019 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.

History and Etymology for ditto

Noun

earlier, "the aforesaid, the same," borrowed from Italian ditto, detto "said, aforesaid," from past participle of dire "to say," going back to Latin dīcere "to talk, speak, say" — more at diction

Adjective

derivative of ditto entry 1

Adverb

derivative of ditto entry 1

Verb

derivative of ditto entry 1; (sense 2) from the duplicator machines using alcohol-based inks manufactured by the Ditto Corporation of Chicago, Illinois

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