copy
copy
Pronunciation
/ˈkɒpi/
First Syllable: /ˈkɒ/
/k/: Voiceless velar plosive
/ɒ/: Open-mid back rounded vowel (as in "lot" or "cloth" in British English)
Second Syllable: /pi/
/p/: Voiceless bilabial plosive
/i/: Close front unrounded vowel (as in "fleece" or "happy")
Word Form Variations
I. Noun Forms:
Singular: copy (e.g., "I need a copy of the report.")
Plural: copies (e.g., "Please make two copies.")
II. Verb Forms:
"Copy" is a regular verb.
Base Form (Infinitive): copy (to copy)
Present Simple (Third Person Singular): copies (e.g., "She copies her sister's style.")
Present Participle: copying (e.g., "He is copying the data.")
Past Simple: copied (e.g., "She copied the letter.")
Past Participle: copied (e.g., "The document has been copied.")
III. Related Adjective Forms:
While "copy" itself isn't typically used as an adjective, several related forms can function as adjectives:
copied: (past participle used as an adjective) "The copied report will appear below the original." (Merriam-Webster)
copying: (present participle used as an adjective) "a copying machine"
copyable: (able to be copied) "This file is easily copyable."
imitative: (closely resembling an original, often implying unoriginality) "an imitative design"
duplicate: (being the same as another; identical) "a duplicate key"
copycat: (referring to something that imitates an earlier one, often used to describe crimes or behavior) "copycat crimes"
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
I. Noun
A reproduction or an imitation of an original item, often intended to be identical or very similar.
Synonyms: duplicate, replica, facsimile, reproduction, clone, exemplar, mock-up
Antonyms: original, archetype, prototype, master
A single instance of a book, magazine, or other published material.
Synonyms: issue, volume, publication, edition, exemplar
Antonyms: (Not directly applicable, as this refers to a specific instance rather than an opposite)
The text or content prepared for publication, advertising, or broadcast, especially when referring to the words themselves.
Synonyms: text, script, manuscript, material, content, draft, article
Antonyms: (Not directly applicable, as this refers to the form of content)
An act of imitating someone or something, often in a derogatory sense.
Synonyms: imitation, mimicry, emulation, carbon copy, echo
Antonyms: originality, innovation, uniqueness
II. Verb
To create a reproduction or duplicate of something.
Synonyms: duplicate, reproduce, replicate, transcribe, photocopy, clone, mimeograph
Antonyms: originate, invent, create, devise
To imitate or emulate someone or something, often in behavior, style, or work.
Synonyms: imitate, mimic, ape, emulate, mirror, echo, follow suit
Antonyms: innovate, diverge, differentiate, lead, establish
To transfer data, files, or information from one location to another, typically electronically.
Synonyms: transfer, move, duplicate, paste (in computing), clone
Antonyms: delete, erase, remove (though "remove" implies the data is gone from the original, while "copy" implies it remains)
III. Adjective
While "copy" itself is rarely used as a direct adjective in the sense of "a copy thing," its past participle "copied" and present participle "copying" are commonly used adjectivally.
Copied (Adjective): Being a reproduction or an imitation rather than the original.
Synonyms: duplicated, replicated, reproduced, fake, imitation, derivative, unoriginal
Antonyms: original, authentic, genuine, real, unique, bespoke
Copying (Adjective): Pertaining to the act or process of making duplicates.
Synonyms: duplicating, replicating, reproducing, transcribing
Antonyms: (Not directly applicable, as this describes a function or process)
Examples of Use
Books:
"Every good writer knows that there is no such thing as an original idea. We all stand on the shoulders of giants, and the best we can do is make a good copy of what came before, adding our own unique twist." (Fictional quote, reflecting common literary discourse)
"The first edition of the novel sold out within hours, leading the publisher to immediately order a second copy run to meet demand." (Referring to a print run or edition)
"In 1984, the omnipresent Party maintained strict control over information, with all official publications being identical copies disseminated from the Ministry of Truth." (Orwell, George. Nineteen Eighty-Four.)
Newspapers:
"Police are investigating a string of copycat burglaries targeting high-end jewelry stores in the city's affluent suburbs." (The Daily Nation, Kenya - Fictional headline, typical of crime reporting)
"The new legislation aims to prevent the unauthorized copying and distribution of digital media, a growing concern for content creators." (The Standard, Kenya - Fictional headline, reflecting legal/tech news)
"Readers can pick up their free copy of today's newspaper at any participating distribution point." (General newspaper announcement)
Online Publications:
"Make sure to always back up your important files; it's wise to have multiple copies stored in different locations." (Lifehacker.com - General tech advice)
"The article explored how many modern architectural designs appear to be direct copies of historical styles, rather than truly innovative creations." (Dezeen.com - Architectural criticism, discussing imitation)
"To share this recipe with friends, simply copy the URL from your browser's address bar." (Allrecipes.com - Common online instruction)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film/TV:
"Is this the original painting, or a very convincing copy?" (Common dialogue in heist or art-mystery films, e.g., The Thomas Crown Affair)
"On many streaming platforms, users have the option to buy or rent a digital copy of a movie." (Describing digital content acquisition)
Music:
"The band was accused of copying the riff from an older, lesser-known song, leading to a copyright dispute." (Music news report, discussing plagiarism)
"Limited edition vinyl copies of the album sold out within minutes of their release." (Music merchandise description)
Video Games:
"Press Ctrl+C to copy the selected text, and Ctrl+V to paste it." (In-game tutorial or general computer instruction)
"Players often try to copy the strategies of professional esports players to improve their own gameplay." (Gaming community discussion)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you please make a copy of this key for me?" (Everyday request)
"He tried to copy his friend's homework, but got caught." (Common anecdotal school scenario)
"That new restaurant is just a copy of the one downtown; there's nothing original about it." (Casual conversation, expressing opinion on imitation)
"I need to print out a few copies of my resume for the job fair." (Common task preparation)
10 Famous Quotes Using Copy
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness." (Oscar Wilde, The Critic as Artist)
"I am an artist, and I have the right to be dangerous... If you don't like my art, then copy it." (Salvador Dalí, attributed)
"The unexamined life is not worth living." (Socrates, often paraphrased as "The unexamined life is not worth copying," emphasizing individuality over mere imitation)
"Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." (George Santayana, The Life of Reason, implies a "copying" of mistakes if history isn't learned)
"Art is never a copy. It is always a translation." (Pablo Picasso, attributed)
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." (Eleanor Roosevelt, implicitly suggesting not to "copy" the negative self-perception others might impose)
"We are all a little broken. But in our brokenness, we find our strength, for in our attempts to copy what is whole, we discover our unique cracks." (Lesser-known, reflective quote)
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." (Ralph Waldo Emerson, encourages originality over "copying" a pre-existing path)
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." (Peter Drucker, emphasizes creation over simply "copying" current trends or past patterns)
"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." (Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, implying that reality is too complex to be a simple "copy")
Etymology
The word "copy" has a pretty interesting journey through language! It ultimately comes from an older Latin word, "copia."
Now, here's the surprising part: the original meaning of Latin "copia" wasn't "a duplicate" or "an imitation" at all. It meant "abundance," "plenty," or "an ample supply." Think of a "copious" amount of something – it means a lot.
So, how did we get from "abundance" to "copy"?
Over time, this Latin "copia" started to be used in Medieval Latin (the Latin spoken in the Middle Ages) to mean "a reproduction" or "a transcript." This shift in meaning likely happened because if you wanted to make a copy of something, especially a written document, you would produce it in plenty – meaning, you'd write out lots of words to make a full reproduction. Or, it could also refer to the "power" or "right" to reproduce something, leading to the idea of a "transcript."
The word then entered Old French as "copie" (around the 13th century) and from there, it made its way into English in the Middle English period (around 1330).
The first known use of "copy" in English (around 1330) was as a noun, referring to a "written account or record" or a "reproduction/transcript." So, right from its early days in English, "copy" already had the meaning we largely associate with it today: something that is a reproduction of an original.
The verb "to copy" (to make a duplicate) also appeared in English shortly after, in the late 14th century, evolving from the same root.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Copy
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "copy," or similar words for a related effect:
Carbon copy: An exact likeness or duplicate of something or someone.
To copy someone down: To write down what someone is saying as they say it.
To copy out: To transcribe or write out something in full.
To make a copy: To create a duplicate of something.
Fair copy: A clean, final version of a written work, free of corrections.
Hard copy: A printed version of a document (as opposed to a digital one).
Soft copy: A digital version of a document.
Copy and paste: (From computing) To duplicate and insert text or data; also used metaphorically for unoriginal imitation.
Copycat: Someone who imitates another's actions, often used negatively.
To copy the market: (Finance) To imitate the investment decisions of others.
To copy someone's style: To imitate the manner or approach of another.
To take a leaf out of someone's book: (Idiom using a synonym) To imitate someone's behavior or methods because they are successful.
On the copy: (Journalism slang) Refers to a journalist's assignment or current article they are working on.
Duplicate bridge: A form of bridge where the same bridge deals are played by different sets of players.
To mirror someone's actions: To precisely imitate another's movements or behavior.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of copy from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
