# duplex

/ˈduˌpɫɛks/ (US) · /djˈuːplɛks/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/duplex
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a building that is divided into two separate homes. Each home has its own entrance, but they share a common wall.

For teachers: a residential building divided into two separate apartments or living units. In North American English, it typically refers to a single structure containing two dwellings, either side-by-side or on different floors.

## Examples

- They live in one half of a duplex near the park.
- The developer plans to build a duplex on the empty lot to provide housing for two families.
- While a detached house offers more privacy, purchasing a duplex can be a strategic investment if the owner chooses to live in one unit while renting out the other.

## Usage notes

- In British English, the term more commonly refers to an apartment with rooms on two floors.

---

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.