# doubles

/ˈdəbəɫz/ (US) · /dˈʌbəlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/doubles
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sports with pairs

noun · CEFR B1

a game, like tennis or badminton, played between two pairs of players instead of two individuals.

For teachers: a format of play in sports such as tennis, badminton, or table tennis involving two teams of two players each.

- They decided to play doubles because four people wanted to use the court.
- The tournament features both men's and women's doubles, with the final matches scheduled for the closing weekend of the competition.

Usage: Usually functions as a plural noun or an uncountable noun depending on the context of the match.

### 3. Trinidadian food

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect

a popular street food from Trinidad made of fried bread and curried chickpeas.

For teachers: a common street food originating in Trinidad and Tobago, consisting of two pieces of fried flatbread (bara) filled with curried chickpeas (channa).

- We stopped at a local stand to grab some hot doubles for breakfast.
- While exploring the local cuisine, the tourists were advised that doubles are best enjoyed fresh from a street vendor with a side of spicy chutney.

Usage: Typically treated as a plural noun even when referring to a single serving.

## Examples

- We are playing doubles this afternoon.
- The tournament features both singles and doubles matches for men and women.
- In professional doubles, success often depends more on the strategic positioning and communication between partners than on individual power or speed.

---

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.