# copy

/ˈkɑpi/ (US) · /kˈɒpi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/copy
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a duplicate

noun · CEFR A2

something that is made to look exactly like another thing.

For teachers: an identical or nearly identical reproduction of an original object, document, or digital file.

- I made a copy of the house keys so my roommate could have a set.
- The archivist insisted on making a high-resolution digital copy of the manuscript before allowing any further physical handling of the fragile original.

### 2. an individual book or magazine

noun · CEFR A2

one single example of a book, newspaper, or magazine.

For teachers: a single specimen of a particular publication or edition.

- The library has three copies of the new novel available to borrow.
- The author spent the afternoon signing copies of her latest biography for a long queue of eager readers at the local bookstore.

### 3. written text for publication

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the words written for an advertisement, a newspaper, or a website.

For teachers: textual matter intended for printing or publication, particularly in journalism or advertising. Uncountable in this sense.

- The marketing team needs to finish the ad copy by tomorrow morning.
- The editor rejected the initial draft, claiming the copy was too dry and failed to engage the magazine's target demographic.

### 4. to duplicate

verb · CEFR A2

to make something that is exactly like something else.

For teachers: to produce a duplicate of an original; in computing, to transfer data to a buffer or another location.

- Please copy these documents and hand them out to everyone in the meeting.
- The software allows users to copy entire directories to an external drive with a single command, ensuring a reliable backup of all essential data.

### 5. to imitate

verb · CEFR B1

to behave or do something in the same way as another person.

For teachers: to follow as a pattern or model; to mimic the actions or style of another.

- Young children often copy the way their parents speak and move.
- The apprentice spent years trying to copy his master's unique brushwork before finally developing a style of his own.

### 6. to send a duplicate message

verb · CEFR B1

to send a message or email to someone who is not the main receiver.

For teachers: to send a duplicate of a communication to a third party, often using the 'CC' function in email.

- Could you copy me on that email so I can stay updated on the project?
- The manager requested to be copied in on all correspondence regarding the contract negotiations to ensure transparency across the department.

Usage: Often used with 'in' as in 'copy someone in'.

### 7. to hear clearly

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to hear and understand a message over a radio.

For teachers: to receive and understand a radio transmission successfully.

- Loud and clear, I copy you.
- The pilot confirmed the instructions from the control tower with a brief 'copy that' before beginning the final approach to the runway.

## Examples

- I need to make a copy of this report for the meeting.
- The marketing team spent all afternoon writing the copy for the new social media campaign.
- While the digital copy remains perfectly preserved, the original manuscript shows significant signs of wear and tear from centuries of handling.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.