carbon copy

noun

1
: a copy made by carbon paper
2
: duplicate
is a carbon copy of his father

Examples of carbon copy in a Sentence

I'll need a carbon copy of that receipt. She's a carbon copy of her mother.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The cast — with the exception of Louis McCartney, who reprises his performance as Henry Creel from the original West End production — is different as well, and the characters are not carbon copies of their West End versions. Sarah Bahr, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 Creating a carbon copy of the original could attract criticism for being lazy and superfluous whereas straying too far from the source material could alienate fans. Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025 The fresh email wasn't a carbon copy of the first, sent roughly a week ago. Will McCurdy, PCMAG, 2 Mar. 2025 At 6-4, 190 pounds, the left-handed, 31-year-old Fried is far from a carbon copy of the 6-4, 220-pound, right-handed, 34-year-old Cole. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for carbon copy

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbon copy was in 1876

Cite this Entry

“Carbon copy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20copy. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

carbon copy

noun
1
: a copy made with carbon paper
2

More from Merriam-Webster on carbon copy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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