copy

I UK [ˈkɒpɪ] / US [ˈkɑpɪ] noun
Word forms "copy":
singular copy plural copies
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1) [countable] a document, computer file etc that is exactly like the original one

copy of:

Please enclose a copy of your birth certificate.

Keep back-up copies of all your Word files.

make a copy (of something):

I made copies of the report for the meeting.

a) something exactly like something else

The disease occurs if someone inherits two copies of an abnormal gene.

b) something that is deliberately made to look the same as something else

It's not a genuine Tudor table, but it's a good copy.

2) [countable] a single newspaper, book, CD, piece of software etc that is one of many that are all exactly the same

Her first album sold 100,000 copies.

copy of:

Have you got a copy of yesterday's newspaper?

3)

a) [uncountable] writing that is ready to be published in a newspaper or magazine

Copy for our April issue must be submitted by 20th March.

b) news, opinions, or information published in a newspaper or magazine

good/great/interesting etc copy:

His controversial remarks always make good copy.

•

See:

hard copy

II UK [ˈkɒpɪ] / US [ˈkɑpɪ] verb
Word forms "copy":
present tense I/you/we/they copy he/she/it copies present participle copying past tense copied past participle copied
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Other ways of saying copy:

photocopy to make an exact copy of a document using a special machine: Make sure you photocopy your accounts before you send them off. reproduce to make a copy of a picture, sound, or piece of writing, especially using modern technology: Old photographs can be digitally reproduced and made to look like new. ♦ The system enables record companies to reproduce the performances of celebrated pianists from the past. imitate to copy someone else's voice, expressions, or movements, often in order to entertain people: At school, he used to make everyone laugh by imitating the teachers. forge to make a copy of something and illegally pretend that it is the original thing: It is alleged that Keen forged his mother's signature on the will. plagiarize to copy someone else's words or ideas and pretend that they are your own: His tutors are concerned that part of his thesis may be plagiarized. pirate to make an illegal copy of something such as a book, software, or a video: They're accused of pirating millions of dollars' worth of films and CDs.

1) [transitive] to make a copy that is the same as the original thing

They were charged with illegally copying videotapes.

Changes can occur when DNA is copied from one cell to another.

a) [intransitive/transitive] to make a copy of a piece of information by writing it somewhere

Just copy what's in the book.

copy from:

The students spent the whole lesson copying from the blackboard.

copy something into something:

He copied the number into his notebook.

b) [transitive] to make a photocopy

I copied the letter and kept the original.

c) [transitive] to make a copy of a piece of computer data, such as a piece of writing or a program

Use the mouse to highlight the text you want to copy.

copy something over/across/to/onto:

To install, first copy the setup file onto your hard drive.

2) [transitive] to do something in the same way as someone else

The instructor does exercises that you can copy while you watch.

Children learn by copying their parents.

3) [transitive] to take someone else's ideas or methods and use them

Their style of music was copied by a lot of other bands.

4) [transitive] to deliberately make something that looks exactly like something else

She had painstakingly copied an 18th-century painting.

5) [intransitive/transitive] to look at someone else's work and write the same as they have, for example in order to cheat in an examination

Phrasal verbs:

- copy down

- copy in

- copy out

- copy to