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double Definition

dou·ble (dub′əl)

adjective

  1. two combined; twofold; duplex
  2. having two layers; folded in two
  3. having two of one kind; paired; repeated a double consonant
  4. being of two kinds; dual a double standard
  5. having two meanings; ambiguous
  6. twice as much, as many, as large, etc. pay double fare
  7. of extra size, value, strength, or quantity
  8. designed or made for two a double bed
  9. characterized by duplicity; two-faced; deceiving leading a double life
  10. having a tone an octave lower double bass
  11. 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

  1. to twice the extent or degree; twofold
  2. two together; in or by pairs to ride double

noun

  1. anything twice as much, as many, or as large as normal
  2. a person or thing looking very much like another; duplicate; counterpart
  3. a substitute actor or singer
  4. a stand-in or substitute, as in films
  5. a fold; second ply
  6. a sharp turn or shift of direction
  7. an evasive trick
  8. a game of tennis, handball, etc. with two players on each side
  9. ☆ Baseball a hit on which the batter reaches second base
  10. Bridge the doubling of an opponent's bid

transitive verb -·bled, -·bling

  1. to make double; make twice as much or as many; multiply by two
  2. to fold; add another ply to double the bandage
  3. to repeat or duplicate
  4. to be the double of
  5. ☆ Baseball
    1. to put out (the second runner) in executing a double play
    2. to advance (a runner) by hitting a double
  6. Bridge to increase the point value or penalty of (an opponent's bid) by saying “double” when it is one's turn to bid
  7. Music to supply the upper or lower octave to (another part or voice) double the tenor in brass
  8. Naut. to sail around they doubled Cape Horn

intransitive verb

  1. to become double; increase twofold
  2. to bend or turn sharply backward the animal doubled on its tracks
  3. to serve as a double
  4. to serve an additional purpose
  5. ☆ Informal to double-date
  6. ☆ Baseball to hit a double
  7. Music to play one or more instruments in addition to one's principal instrument: often with on

double Idioms

double back

  1. to fold back
  2. 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

  1. to fold completely; clench (one's fist)
  2. to bend over, as in laughter or pain
  3. to share a room, etc. with someone

on the double

or at the doubleInformal
  1. in double time (sense )
  2. quickly

double Synonyms

double

modif.

twofold, twice, paired, coupled, twin, binary, binate, geminate, doubled, redoubled, duplex, renewed, dual, repeated, second, as much again, duplicated, ambiguous, double-barreled, duple, two-ply, folded; see also twice, twin.

Antonyms single*, alone*, apart.

on the double*

hastily, rapidly, hurriedly, right away; see quickly 1.

double Synonyms

double

n.

duplicate, counterpart, twin, stand-in; see duplicate, equal, substitute.

double Synonyms

double

v.

  1. To make or become double

    make twice as much, duplicate, multiply, fold over; see fold 2, grow 1, increase 1.

  2. To replace

    substitute for, stand in, act for; see substitute 2.

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.