carbon copy — an exact copy or duplicate of something, especially a document
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: an exact copy or duplicate of something, especially a document
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkɑːrbən ˈkɑːpi/
Example Sentences
- The twins are carbon copies of each other - even their mothers can't tell them apart!
- I need three carbon copies of this report for the meeting.
- His presentation was a carbon copy of last year's - even the typos were identical!
carbon copy
NOUN[/ˈkɑːrbən ˈkɑːpi/]
an exact copy or duplicate of something, especially a document
an office worker places an original document face-down on a large copying machine and presses the start button. The machine hums to life with visible mechanical gears and rollers moving inside through a transparent panel. A bright scanning light moves across the document as the copying process begins. An identical copy emerges from the output tray, showing exactly the same content as the original document. A supervisor stands nearby comparing the original and copy side by side, nodding with approval at their perfect match. an exact copy or duplicate of the original document being created
When the machine gets choppy, even a carbon copy looks sloppy!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The phrase originated in the 1950s office environment when carbon paper (coated with carbon compound) was used to duplicate documents. When carbon paper was placed between sheets and typing occurred on the top page, an identical copy would automatically appear on the pages below through the transfer of carbon residue.
Breakdown
carbon (the element or carbon-coated paper used in copying) + copy (a duplicate or reproduction of an original document). The term is a compound phrase combining the copying medium with the product it created.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The twins are carbon copies of each other - even their mothers can't tell them apart!”
“I need three carbon copies of this report for the meeting.”
“His presentation was a carbon copy of last year's - even the typos were identical!”
“Please CC me on that email (CC stands for carbon copy).”
📚Related Words
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