double

1 of 4

adjective

dou·​ble ˈdə-bəl How to pronounce double (audio)
1
: having a twofold relation or character : dual
2
: consisting of two usually combined members or parts
an egg with a double yolk
3
a
: being twice as great or as many
double the number of expected applicants
b
of a coin : worth two of the specified amount
a double eagle
a double crown
4
: marked by duplicity : deceitful
5
: folded in two
6
: of extra size, strength, or value
a double martini
7
: having more than the normal number of floral leaves often at the expense of the sporophylls
8
of rhyme : involving correspondence of two syllables (as in exciting and inviting)
9
: designed for the use of two persons
a double room
a double bed
doubleness noun

double

2 of 4

verb

doubled; doubling ˈdə-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce double (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to make twice as great or as many: such as
a
: to increase by adding an equal amount
b
: to amount to twice the number of
c
: to make a call in bridge that increases the value of odd tricks or undertricks at (an opponent's bid)
2
a
: to bend or fold (something, such as a sheet of paper) usually in the middle so that one part lies directly against the other part
b
: clench
doubled his fist
c
: to cause to stoop
3
: to avoid by doubling : elude
4
a
: to replace in a dramatic role
b
: to play (dramatic roles) by doubling
5
a(1)
: to advance or score (a base runner) by a double
(2)
: to bring about the scoring of (a run) by a double
b
: to put out (a base runner) in completing a double play
6
: double-team
Jackson's absence was supposed to allow defenses to double Gates.Jim Trotter

intransitive verb

1
a
: to become twice as much or as many
b
: to double a bid (as in bridge)
2
a
: to turn sharply and suddenly
especially : to turn back on one's course
the rabbit doubled back on its tracks
b
: to follow a circuitous course
3
: to become bent or folded usually in the middle
usually used with up
she doubled up in pain
4
a
: to serve an additional purpose or perform an additional duty
b
: to play a dramatic role as a double
5
: to make a double in baseball
doubler noun

double

3 of 4

adverb

1
: to twice the extent or amount
2
: two together
the children had to sleep double
3
: downward and forward from the usual position
he was bent double with pain

double

4 of 4

noun

1
: something twice the usual size, strength, speed, quantity, or value: such as
a
: a double amount
b
: a base hit that enables the batter to reach second base
2
: one that is the counterpart of another : duplicate: such as
a
: a living person that closely resembles another living person
b
: wraith
c(1)
(2)
: one who resembles an actor and takes his or her place especially in scenes calling for special skills
(3)
: an actor who plays more than one role in a production
3
a
: a sharp turn (as in running) : reversal
b
: an evasive shift
4
: something consisting of two paired members: such as
a
: fold
b
: a combined bet placed on two different contests
c
: two consecutive strikes in bowling
5
doubles plural : a game between two pairs of players
6
: an act of doubling in a card game
7
: a room (as in a hotel) for two guests compare single sense 4
Phrases
on the double
: very quickly : right away

Examples of double in a Sentence

Adjective One of the eggs had a double yolk. The truck crossed the double yellow line and entered the other lane. My name is “Allison,” with a double “l.” Go through those double doors and walk to the end of the hall. I'll have a double espresso, please. a double dose of medicine a double order of fries Verb We all doubled over laughing. He doubled up in pain. Adverb raced to his side double quick Noun I'll have one more glass of vodka. Make it a double, please. People often tell me that I'm his double. The actress's double did all of the dangerous scenes. Can you tell if it's the actor or his double in that shot? He hit a double in the eighth inning.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
At least 20 people were killed on Friday in a double Russian missile strike on the city of Odesa. Josh Pennington, Mari Kostenko and Manveena Suri, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 And members of the Paris Baguette rewards program get double points through March 17 on any St. Patrick's Day products purchased. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 The Lakers won 145-144 in double overtime Jan. 27 and the Warriors won 128-110 on Feb. 22, both in the Bay Area. Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 And so, the painting perfectly enacts an idea that is central to the exhibition, curated by Denise Murrell: double consciousness. Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Actress Olivia Munn announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and has undergone multiple surgeries, including a double mastectomy over the past year. Kristina Behr, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 The Newsroom actress, 43, revealed in a Wednesday Instagram post that she was diagnosed with Luminal B breast cancer in 2023 and has since undergone several surgeries, including a double mastectomy. EW.com, 13 Mar. 2024 The double peg heights accommodated different bottle and accessory sizes nicely. Samson McDougall, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024 The Big West adjusted the format for the tournament this season, inviting two fewer teams and awarding double byes into the semifinals for the top two seeds. Dan Arritt, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2024
Verb
The Rams refused to get him any meaningful help on the line, leaving opposing teams free to double/triple team him on every play. Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Upon entering, the main hall opens up to a formal dining room and a cozy library that doubles as a study. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 Various stops along the way range from ominous (a rural gas station that doubles as a prisoner-of-war torture chamber) to heartening (a Hooverville-type enclave where folks try to forge a semblance of a community). David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2024 Many publicans in 19th-century Ireland doubled as grocers or even undertakers. Carson Terbush, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 The industry is expected to continue climbing, and could double by the end of the decade. Stephanie Vermillion, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2024 On April 8, that time will nearly double in an area just northwest of the Mexican city of Torreón, where spectators will experience a totality lasting 4 minutes and 28 seconds. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 Two years later in 2022, an equally impressive $4 billion Terminal C followed—doubling the size of the original terminal with a 1.3 million-square-foot space with 11 security lanes, 5 baggage carousels, and an additional concourse with 10 gates, for a total of 37 gates. Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Mar. 2024 The tennis court also doubles as an outdoor basketball court, as one side has a hoop and boundary lines for pickup games. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2024
Adverb
Royal 2, Simi Valley 1: Ryan Ulmen delivered a two-strike, two-run double in the seventh to help give Simi Valley a 6-2 lead, but darkness stopped the game and the score reverted back to the sixth inning, giving Royal the victory. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024 This is a versatile bra that provides excellent full coverage, support, and is double lined for additional shaping and support. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024 Currently double discounted to just $45 with the code SHOPNOW, these pants are about to become your go-to for transitioning from winter into spring. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2024 The product is also double certified as cruelty-free by both PETA and Leaping Bunny. Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2024 This goes double during pregnancy, when certain iterations of your go-to calcium-rich foods may be off the table. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2023 Other advertisers double dipped by using the same ad in both the English and Spanish speaking broadcasts, like Michelob ULTRA’s ad featuring football legend Dan Marino and Inter Miami FC player Lionel Messi, soccer’s best player in history (in my humble opinion). Nelson Granados, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 Ultimately, the company was better positioned than most: Its offices have gyms, restaurants, tons of free products, and even coffee bars that occasionally double as bars, Fortune reported in 2022. Jane Thier, Fortune Europe, 5 Feb. 2024 Del Brocco noted he was double booked and attending his last public screening of Io Capitano, which is up for an Academy Award in the best international feature category. Manuela Santacatterina, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2024
Noun
The 2024 singles champions will each go home with $1.1 million, while the doubles winners will each get $447,300. Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2024 Camarillo 4, Simi Valley 1: Trotter Enright hit two doubles and a single to lead Camarillo. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Elsewhere in the first major invitational of the season held in mostly ideal conditions at Rancho Bernardo High School, there were a couple more impressive doubles. Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024 The Rooms The resort’s standard doubles, or Superior Rooms, come in three sizes ranging from 387.5 square feet (recommended for two people) to 473.6 square feet (recommended for up to four people). Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2024 Rogers gave up just one hit — a one-out double to Jose Abreu on an elevated splitter — against an Astros lineup filled with players who will be on their Opening Day roster. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Teoscar Hernandez had a seventh-inning double and Sweeney went deep in the eighth. Doug Padilla, Orange County Register, 2 Mar. 2024 The #2 seeds, who remain out of contract (and in playing limbo) even at this deep February 2024 date, win their 6th pro doubles title together. Todd Boss, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Props bets here include carries, pass interceptions, touchdown scorers, passing yards, player performance doubles, score props, and more. Bonuses and Promotions: 4/5 There are plenty of Bovada bonuses to look forward to both as a new and regular player. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'double.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French duble, double, from Latin duplus (akin to Greek diploos), from duo two + -plus multiplied by; akin to Old English -feald -fold — more at two, -fold

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of double was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near double

Cite this Entry

“Double.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

double

1 of 4 adjective
dou·​ble ˈdəb-əl How to pronounce double (audio)
1
: dual sense 1
a double role
2
: consisting of two members or parts
an egg with a double yolk
3
: being twice as great or as many
had double the number of expected sales
4
: folded in two
5
: having more than the usual number of floral parts and especially petals
double roses
doubleness noun

double

2 of 4 verb
doubled; doubling ˈdəb-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce double (audio)
1
: to make, be, or become twice as great or as many
double a recipe
2
a
: to bend or fold (as a sheet of paper) usually in the middle so that one part lies directly against the other part
b
: to close tightly the fingers of : clench
doubled his fist
c
: to cause to bend at the waist
d
: to become bent or folded usually in the middle
she doubled up in pain
3
: to have an additional use or job
the cook doubles as dishwasher
4
: to make a double in baseball
5
: to turn sharply and go back on the same path first taken
the rabbit doubled back on its tracks

double

3 of 4 adverb
1
2
: two together
sleep double

double

4 of 4 noun
1
a
: something twice another
12 is the double of 6
b
: a hit in baseball that allows a batter to reach second base
2
: duplicate entry 3
especially : a person who closely resembles another
3
: a sharp turn : reversal
4
5
plural : a game between two pairs of players
tennis doubles
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English double "double, dual," from early French double (same meaning), from Latin duplus "double," from duo "two" and -plus "multiplied by" — related to dual

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