A1 noun Neutral #1,652 most common

copy

/ˈkɒp.i/

A copy is a duplicate or an exact version of something else, such as a document, a file, or a picture. In technology, it often refers to a digital file that has been replicated from an original source.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I need to make a copy of this document for my files.

I need to create a duplicate of this paper to keep.

2

Please provide a certified copy of your identification.

Please give us an official duplicate of your ID card.

3

Can you send me a copy of that song?

Can you share a digital version of that music file with me?

Word Family

Noun
copy
Verb
copy
Adjective
copied
Related
copier
💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'Copier' machine in an office. It takes one paper and makes many 'copies'.

Quick Quiz

I lost my book, so I had to buy a new ______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: copy

Examples

1

I need to make a copy of this document for my files.

everyday

I need to create a duplicate of this paper to keep.

2

Please provide a certified copy of your identification.

formal

Please give us an official duplicate of your ID card.

3

Can you send me a copy of that song?

informal

Can you share a digital version of that music file with me?

4

The library holds a copy of every published textbook.

academic

The library has one version of every book that is printed.

5

The client requested a hard copy of the proposal.

business

The customer asked for a printed version of the business plan.

Word Family

Noun
copy
Verb
copy
Adjective
copied
Related
copier

Common Collocations

make a copy to create a duplicate
hard copy a physical printout on paper
digital copy an electronic version of a file
backup copy an extra version kept for safety
free copy a version given without cost

Common Phrases

carbon copy

an exact duplicate of someone or something

master copy

the main version from which others are made

soft copy

a digital version of a document

Often Confused With

copy vs copyright

A copy is the object itself; copyright is the legal right to control who makes copies.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'copy' when you are talking about a specific instance of a book or file. It is a countable noun, so you can have 'one copy' or 'many copies'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'copy' when they mean 'imitate' a person's behavior, which is usually the verb form. Also, remember the plural spelling is 'copies', not 'copys'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'Copier' machine in an office. It takes one paper and makes many 'copies'.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin word 'copia', which means 'plenty' or 'abundance', because copying things creates more of them.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Plural: copies Often used with 'of' (e.g., a copy of the report)
🌍

Cultural Context

In office culture, 'CC' in emails stands for 'carbon copy', a term from when people used carbon paper to make duplicates of letters.

Quick Quiz

I lost my book, so I had to buy a new ______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: copy

More Technology words

smartphone

A1

A mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded applications. It is used for communication, entertainment, and productivity.

printer

A1

A machine that is connected to a computer and used for putting writing or images onto paper. It typically uses ink or toner to create a physical copy of a digital document.

microphone

A1

A microphone is a device used to capture sound and convert it into electrical signals. It is commonly used for recording music, speaking in public, or talking during video calls.

charger

A1

A device used to store energy in a battery by connecting it to an electric power source. It is most commonly used for electronic devices like smartphones, laptops, and tablets to keep them working.

battery

A1

A device that stores chemical energy and converts it into electrical power to run electronic devices. It is commonly found in objects like mobile phones, remote controls, and cars.

cable

A1

A thick wire or bundle of wires covered in plastic that carries electricity or electronic signals. It is commonly used to connect electronic devices, like computers and televisions, to power or to each other.

USB

A1

A USB is a small electronic device used for storing information and moving it from one computer to another. It also refers to a standard type of connection used to plug devices like keyboards or printers into a computer.

internet

A1

The internet is a global system of connected computer networks that allows people to share information and communicate with each other. It is the physical infrastructure used to access websites, send emails, and stream videos.

upload

A1

An upload is the process of sending data or a file from a personal device, like a computer or phone, to a larger system or the internet. It also refers to the specific content that has been transferred to a server or website.

online

A1

The state or condition of being connected to the internet or a computer network. It describes services, activities, or communications that occur through the web rather than in person or via physical media.

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