Copy (noun) — a thing made to be identical or very similar to something else: a copy of a document. Copy (verb) — to make an identical version of something, or to imitate someone's actions: Please copy the file to the folder.
Etymology
Copy descends from the Latin word copia, meaning "abundance" or "plenty". In medieval Latin, copia shifted to mean a transcript of a document, since scribes produced texts in large quantities for distribution. The word entered English in the 14th century via Old French copie, and by the 15th century it had fully established both its noun and verb senses in written records.
What Does Copy Mean?
As a noun, copy refers to a reproduction or duplicate of an original — whether a photocopied page, a printed book, a digital file, or even a painting made to resemble a famous work. In publishing, copy also means the written text prepared for editing and printing.
As a verb, copy means to reproduce, duplicate, or transcribe something. It can also mean to imitate another person's behaviour or style, sometimes with a negative connotation (as in copying in an exam). In digital contexts, "copy and paste" has become one of the most recognisable compound actions in modern computing.
The word is extremely high frequency and appears across all registers — from office memos and school instructions to legal documents and computing manuals. Mastering its collocations will make your English sound far more natural.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & note |
|---|---|
| Please make a copy of the document for your records. | A2 — basic noun use |
| Could you copy this paragraph into your notebook? | B1 — verb with direct object |
| The teacher reminded the class that copying in a test is strictly forbidden. | B1 — gerund; academic context |
| She kept a back-up copy of every file on an external hard drive. | B2 — collocation: back-up copy |
| The manuscript is believed to be a faithful copy of a much earlier text that has since been lost. | C1 — formal; noun + adjective collocation |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| make a copy | Could you make a copy of this invoice, please? |
| back-up copy | Always keep a back-up copy of important documents. |
| hard copy | The manager asked for a hard copy of the report. |
| soft copy | I'll send you the soft copy by email this afternoon. |
| fair copy | He wrote a fair copy of the letter before sending it. |
| carbon copy | Her speech was a carbon copy of the one she gave last year. |
| copy and paste | She copied and pasted the data into the spreadsheet. |
| certified copy | You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. |
| rough copy | Draft a rough copy first, then refine it. |
| complimentary copy | The publisher sent her a complimentary copy of the book. |
Usage Notes
- Noun and verb forms: The plural noun is copies; the verb conjugates as copies (3rd person singular), copied (past), copying (present participle).
- Copy vs. duplicate vs. replicate: Copy is the most general term. Duplicate emphasises making an exact second version, often in official contexts. Replicate is formal or scientific, implying careful reproduction of a process.
- Digital usage: In computing, "copy" nearly always pairs with "paste" (copy and paste). The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C / Cmd+C is universally understood as "copy".
- Publishing copy: In journalism and marketing, copy (uncountable) means written content — "the copy needs editing" does not refer to a physical duplicate but to the text itself.
- Negative connotation: In academic and school contexts, "to copy" often implies dishonesty — copying someone's homework or copying in an exam. Clarify when you mean legitimate reproduction.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
I made a copy from the document. (wrong preposition)
I made a copy of the document. (correct preposition: of)
She copied the answer of her friend. (wrong preposition)
She copied the answer from her friend. (correct: copied from)
Please do a copy of this file. (wrong verb collocation)
Please make a copy of this file. (correct collocation: make a copy)