double Definition
dou·ble (dub′əl)
adjective
- two combined; twofold; duplex
- having two layers; folded in two
- having two of one kind; paired; repeated a double consonant
- being of two kinds; dual a double standard
- having two meanings; ambiguous
- twice as much, as many, as large, etc. pay double fare
- of extra size, value, strength, or quantity
- designed or made for two a double bed
- characterized by duplicity; two-faced; deceiving leading a double life
- having a tone an octave lower double bass
- Bot. having more than one set of petals
Etymology: ME < OFr < L duplus, lit., twofold (akin to Gr diploos) < duo, two + -plus < IE *plo-, -fold < base *pel-, to fold
adverb
- to twice the extent or degree; twofold
- two together; in or by pairs to ride double
noun
- anything twice as much, as many, or as large as normal
- a person or thing looking very much like another; duplicate; counterpart
- a substitute actor or singer
- a stand-in or substitute, as in films
- a fold; second ply
- a sharp turn or shift of direction
- an evasive trick
- a game of tennis, handball, etc. with two players on each side
- ☆ Baseball a hit on which the batter reaches second base
- Bridge the doubling of an opponent's bid
transitive verb -·bled, -·bling
- to make double; make twice as much or as many; multiply by two
- to fold; add another ply to double the bandage
- to repeat or duplicate
- to be the double of
- ☆ Baseball
- to put out (the second runner) in executing a double play
- to advance (a runner) by hitting a double
- Bridge to increase the point value or penalty of (an opponent's bid) by saying “double” when it is one's turn to bid
- Music to supply the upper or lower octave to (another part or voice) double the tenor in brass
- Naut. to sail around they doubled Cape Horn
intransitive verb
- to become double; increase twofold
- to bend or turn sharply backward the animal doubled on its tracks
- to serve as a double
- to serve an additional purpose
- ☆ Informal to double-date
- ☆ Baseball to hit a double
- Music to play one or more instruments in addition to one's principal instrument: often with on
double Idioms
double back
- to fold back
- to turn and go back in the direction from which one came
double in brass
☆Slang to do or be capable of doing something additional to one's specialty
double up
- to fold completely; clench (one's fist)
- to bend over, as in laughter or pain
- to share a room, etc. with someone
double Synonyms
double
modif.
on the double*
double Synonyms
double Synonyms
double
v.
double Usage Examples
Object
- click: A normal chat room user can double click on a user to chat privately to that person.
- size: This option can double the size of the tables used by your scanner.
- amount: Local increases may be up to double this amount.
- capacity: Further, NGC admits that the LPS line would give more than double the capacity it claims it needs.
- number: New computer facilities: A new computer lab with 20 PCs has doubled the number of PCs on the first floor.
- taxation: The Fulani were subject to double taxation, in form of tribute to the Fon and in taxes to the State.
Preposition: over
decade: The value of trade in both directions doubled over the next decade as a result.
Adjective modifier
mixed: The mixed doubles went to WO1 Mancrief and Cpl Stiff ( BFPO ).
Modifies a noun
- bedroom: Each double bedroom also has a full sized single bed.
- glazing: Issue heavy winter curtains to all houses without double glazing.
- bed: A double bed may consist of twins pushed or joined together.
- bass: The use of a double bass gives them an original sound.
- garage: Outside there are both front and rear gardens together with a drive and double garage.
- click: Double click or check the checkbox to select replies.
Modifying Another Word
- nearly: Social housing was a winner in the Comprehensive Spending Review of July 2000 expenditure will nearly double up to 2003/04.
- almost: In some regions, those figures are almost double.
- roughly: For muon pairs the initialisation time is shorter by a factor of about 3 and the event generation rate is roughly doubled.
Followed by an intransitive particle
up: Social housing was a winner in the Comprehensive Spending Review of July 2000 expenditure will nearly double up to 2003/04.
Preposition: in
size: The plant has been in business for over 30 years and has doubled in size the last five years.
Preposition: since
1980s: UK graduate numbers have more than doubled since the 1980s, and as a group they have become far more diverse.
Browse dictionary entries near double
- ‹ Douay Bible
- ‹ Douala
- ‹ Douai
- ‹ Dou
- ‹ dotty
- ‹ dottle
- ‹ dotterel
- ‹ dotted swiss
- ‹ dotted quad
- ‹ dotted decimal notation

