replica

noun

rep·​li·​ca ˈre-pli-kə 

1

: an exact reproduction (as of a painting) executed by the original artist

a replica of this was painted … this year

—Constance Strachey

2

: a copy exact in all details

DNA makes a replica of itself

sailed a replica of the Viking ship

broadly : copy

this faithful, pathetic replica of a Midwestern suburb

—G. F. Kennan

Synonyms

• image
• twin
• clone
• picture
• duplicate
• portrait
• counterpart

Choose the Right Synonym for replica

reproduction, duplicate, copy, facsimile, replica mean a thing made to closely resemble another.

reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details

a replica of the Mayflower

but not always in the same scale.

miniature replicas of classic cars

Examples of replica in a Sentence

We toured a replica of the ship.

It's an authentic replica of an ancient Greek urn.

Recent Examples on the Web

Citi Field commemorated the anniversary by hosting a pregame concert from 1964 The Tribute, playing Beatles music throughout the night, and distributing replica models of Shea Stadium to the first 15,000 fans in attendance. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2025

Hours for the free evening festival will be 5 to 11 p.m. at downtown Festival Park, where a large replica of Mexico City’s Angel of Independence will be on display and family activities, like a piñata smash, will be held. —Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025

The super deluxe edition is accompanied by a 204-page book, newsprint poster, postcards, stickers and other replica ephemera from the era. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025

The 1132-piece set is a replica of the iconic rover that has been exploring the surface of Mars in recent years. —Alexander Cox, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, "repetition, reply, copy of a work of art," noun derivative of replicare "to repeat, reply," borrowed from Latin replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply") — more at replicate entry 1

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

replica

noun

rep·​li·​ca ˈrep-li-kə 

1

: a close reproduction especially by the maker of the original

2

: a copy exact in all details : duplicate