dual

1 of 2

adjective

du·​al ˈdü(-ə)l How to pronounce dual (audio)
 also  ˈdyü-əl
1
of grammatical number : denoting reference to two
a dual pronoun
2
a
: consisting of two parts or elements or having two like parts : double
families with dual incomes
held dual citizenship in France and the U.S.
a dual function
a dual exhaust system
b
: having a double character or nature

dual

2 of 2

noun

1
linguistics : the dual (see dual entry 1 sense 1) number of a language
2
linguistics : a linguistic form in the dual

Examples of dual in a Sentence

Adjective the dual purpose of the study She pursued dual careers in music and acting.
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.
Adjective
Salso credited the group’s dual leadership — across Spain’s linear TV and its digital platform Atresplayer, with over 670,000 subscribers and five million unique monthly users— for providing a launchpad for global travel. Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025 Talbott’s dual role as a political donor and chairman of a voting technology firm has drawn scrutiny from some election oversight advocates. Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
To cater to a diverse downtown crowd, Social Brews also duals as a café with an espresso bar, pastries and breakfast sandwiches; a restaurant serving appetizers, burgers and desserts; and a bar pouring craft cocktails. Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025 Vanderbilt explained that a producer had laid out the three-day shoot, spanning 20 pages of dialogue, for the verbal dual between the two actors. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dual

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Latin dualis, from duo two — more at two

First Known Use

Adjective

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dual was in 1597

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dual. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

dual

adjective
du·​al
ˈd(y)ü-əl
1
: consisting of two parts or elements : having two parts alike
dual headphone jacks
2
: having a double character or nature
a dual function
dual citizenship
duality
d(y)ü-ˈal-ət-ē
noun
dually
ˈd(y)ü-ə-lē
adverb
Etymology

Adjective

from Latin dualis "dual," from duo "two" — related to deuce, double, dozen

More from Merriam-Webster on dual

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