carbon copy en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
Meanings
-
A copy produced in an alternated stack of ordinary sheets of paper and carbon papers. The pressure applied on the top sheet (by a pen or typewriter) causes every carbon paper to release its carbon cover, thus reproducing the writing on the subjacent layers of paper.
In preparing the contract, we'll make a carbon copy for our records.
-
(broadly) A duplicate or lookalike.
This new home is simply a carbon copy of the one down the street.
Now, I’m not saying Hollie [Ford] is Alix [Earle]’s carbon copy, but the visual similarities—namely the blonde hair and blue eyes—are absolutely there[.]
2026 April 18, Starr Bowenbank, “Um, Braxton Berrios Was Spotted on a Date With a Model Who *Kinda* Looks Like Alix Earle”, in Cosmopolitan:
- (Internet) A duplicate copy of an email.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| carbon-copy | alternative | lexicographic | |
| carbon copies | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
Synonyms
Translations (30)
tl siping karbon (a copy) · ru ко́пия (duplicate) · cmn 副本 (duplicate) · da gennemslagskopi (a copy) · cs průklep (a copy) · es copia en papel carbón (a copy) · it copia conoscenza (duplicate) · es copia hecha con papel carbón (a copy) · vi bản sao (a copy) · nl doorslag (a copy) · ro copie la indigo (duplicate) · cs kopie (duplicate) · ru дублика́т (duplicate) · ru ко́пия че́рез копи́рку (a copy) · de Durchschlag (a copy) · fi hiilikopio (a copy) · cy copi carbon (duplicate) · da gennemslag (a copy) · ru ко́пия (a copy) · cy copi carbon (a copy) · es copia al carbón (a copy) · pt cópia carbono (a copy) · fi kopio (duplicate) · ga cóip charbóin (a copy) · ro copie (a copy) · fr copie carbone (duplicate) · sk prieklep (a copy) · fr copie (a copy) · vi bản sao (duplicate) · cmn 副本 (a copy)