double
double
Pronunciation
double: /ˈdʌb.əl/
First Syllable: /dʌb/
/d/: Voiced alveolar plosive
/ʌ/: Near-open central vowel (as in "cut")
/b/: Voiced bilabial plosive
Second Syllable: /əl/
/əl/: Syllabic lateral approximant (a schwa followed by an 'l' sound, often merging into a single syllable)
Word Form Variations
The term "double" can function as a noun, verb, adjective, and adverb.
Noun:
Singular: double
Plural: doubles
Verb:
Base Form: double
Past Simple: doubled
Past Participle: doubled
Present Participle: doubling
Third-Person Singular Present: doubles
Adjective:
Positive: double
Comparative: more double (less common, usually rephrased)
Superlative: most double (less common, usually rephrased)
Adverb:
double (often used as an intensifier or to indicate multiplication)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A counterpart or look-alike of someone or something; a person or thing that strongly resembles another.
Synonyms: twin, replica, duplicate, clone, doppelgänger
Antonyms: original, antithesis, opposite
An amount or quantity that is twice the usual or original amount.
Synonyms: twofold, twice, duplicate
Antonyms: half, single, portion
(In sports, particularly tennis or badminton) A game involving two players on each side.
Synonyms: (none readily available as a single word for this specific context)
Antonyms: singles
Verb
To become or cause to become twice as much or as many.
Synonyms: multiply, duplicate, increase, amplify
Antonyms: halve, diminish, decrease, reduce
To fold or bend something over on itself so that it forms two layers.
Synonyms: fold, bend, crease, pleat
Antonyms: unfold, straighten, flatten, uncrease
To play a dual role or serve a dual purpose.
Synonyms: alternate, interchange, switch, combine
Antonyms: specialize, restrict
Adjective
Consisting of two identical or similar parts; twofold.
Synonyms: dual, paired, twin, duplicate, twofold
Antonyms: single, singular, sole, solitary
Having twice the usual size, quantity, or degree.
Synonyms: ample, extensive, generous, abundant, oversized
Antonyms: meager, insufficient, scanty, small, miniature
Deceptive or hypocritical; having two conflicting aspects or meanings.
Synonyms: deceitful, duplicitous, dishonest, treacherous, hypocritical
Antonyms: honest, sincere, straightforward, candid, genuine
Adverb
Twice the amount or extent; to a twofold degree.
Synonyms: twofold, twice, doubly
Antonyms: singly, partially, slightly
Examples of Use
Books:
"He had a double life, one as a respected businessman and another as a clandestine operative." (From a spy novel, fictionalized for example)
"The author expertly wove a narrative with a double meaning, inviting readers to delve deeper into its allegorical layers." (Literary analysis, likely found in a critical essay or review)
Newspapers:
"Inflation fears double as consumer prices continue to climb, economists warn." (The Wall Street Journal)
"The local theater group announced a double bill for their summer season, featuring two classic comedies." (Community newspaper article)
Online Publications:
"Experts predict the company's valuation could double within the next fiscal year thanks to a new product launch." (TechCrunch)
"The influencer shared her secret to achieving a double cleanse for glowing skin, garnering thousands of likes." (Beauty blog post)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I need a double espresso," a character grumbled in a scene from the film Coffee & Complications. (Dialogue in a film)
Television: "Tonight on Crime Scene Chronicles, investigators crack a double murder case that baffled authorities for years." (Television show narration)
Music: "I've got a double dose of love for you," lyrics from a popular song. (Song lyrics)
Video Games: "Player 1 has achieved a double kill!" (In-game announcement in a first-person shooter game)
Podcasts: "Our guest today argues that we must double down on renewable energy investments to combat climate change." (Podcast discussion)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you double-check if the doors are locked before we leave?" (Everyday conversation)
"The price of gas seems to have doubled overnight!" (Casual complaint)
"She's a real double threat – great at both singing and dancing." (Compliment about someone's talent)
"We need to work double time to meet this deadline." (Informal expression of urgency)
10 Quotes Using Double
"It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver." (Niccolò Machiavelli)
"One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger." (Winston Churchill)
"If you want to increase your success rate, double your failure rate." (Thomas J. Watson)
"Science is beautiful when it makes simple explanations of phenomena or connections between different observations. Examples include the double helix in biology and the fundamental equations of physics." (Stephen Hawking)
"In our monogamous part of the world, to marry means to halve one's rights and double one's duties." (Arthur Schopenhauer)
"A gift, with a kind countenance, is a double present." (Thomas Fuller)
"If a man could have half of his wishes, he would double his troubles." (Benjamin Franklin)
"I'm not the greatest; I'm the double greatest. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round." (Muhammad Ali)
"I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being good all the time. That would be hypocrisy." (Oscar Wilde)
"Every skill you acquire doubles your odds of success." (Scott Adams)
Etymology
The word "double" has a fascinating journey through languages, ultimately coming from a root that means "two."
It comes to us from the Old French word "doble," which itself came from the Latin word "duplus." "Duplus" is a combination of two Latin parts:
"duo," meaning "two"
"plus," meaning "fold" or "multiple" (like in "duplicate" or "multiply").
So, right from its Latin roots, "double" essentially meant "two-fold" or "twice as much."
The first known uses of "double" in English, appearing around the late 12th and early 13th centuries, carried this core meaning. It was used to describe something that was twice the amount, size, or number of something else. For instance, you might find it describing a "double portion" or a "double amount" of something.
Over time, its meaning expanded to include other related ideas, like folding something over (making it two layers), or having two roles or characteristics, but the fundamental idea of "two" or "twice" has remained at its heart.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Double
Double-check: To check something again to ensure it is correct.
Double-cross: To betray someone by acting treacherously.
Double-edged sword: Something that has both positive and negative consequences.
Double-take: A second, closer look at something, especially after failing to notice something unusual at first.
Double up: To share something (like a room or task) with another person; or to bend over with laughter or pain.
Double or nothing: A wager in which one risks an original bet to either win double the amount or lose everything.
Double time: Working or performing at twice the normal speed.
On the double: Immediately; very quickly.
Double down: To strengthen one's commitment to a particular strategy or course of action, especially in the face of increased risk.
See double: To see two of everything, typically due to intoxication or a medical condition.
Talk out of both sides of one's mouth / Speak with a forked tongue: (Idioms using a synonym for similar effect, referring to duplicity, similar to "double-dealing") To express two contradictory opinions or to be insincere.
To do a one-eighty: (Idiom using a synonym for similar effect, referring to a complete change, which can be seen as a "double" reversal of direction) To reverse one's opinion or course of action completely.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of double from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
