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Definition copy in British English

copy verb

verb
/ˈkɒpi/

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

to make a copy that is the same as the original thing

Example

They were charged with illegally copying videotapes.

Example

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

Synonyms and related words
1.1

to make a copy of a piece of information by writing it somewhere

Example

Just copy what's in the book.

Example

The students spent the whole lesson copying from the blackboard.

Example

He copied the number into his notebook.

Synonyms and related words
1.2

to make a photocopy

Example

I copied the letter and kept the original.

Synonyms and related words
1.3

to make a copy of a piece of computer data, such as a piece of writing or a program

Example

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

Example

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

Synonyms and related words
2

to do something in the same way as someone else

Example

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

Example

Children learn by copying their parents.

Synonyms and related words
3

to take someone else's ideas or methods and use them

Example

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

Synonyms and related words
4

to deliberately make something that looks exactly like something else

Example

She had painstakingly copied an 18th-century painting.

Synonyms and related words
5

to look at someone else's work and write the same as they have, for example in order to cheat in an examination

Synonyms and related words
Definition copy in British English