double
double
Pronunciation
There are two common pronunciations for "double" in English, depending on accent:
1. /ˈdʌbəl/ (most common)
ˈdʌ - /d/ (voiced alveolar plosive) - similar to the "d" sound in "dog"
bəl - /ʌ/ (short open back unrounded vowel) - similar to the "u" sound in "but"
**/l/: voiced alveolar lateral approximant - similar to the "l" sound in "lamp"
2. /dˈʌbl̩/ (less common)
dˈʌ - /d/ (voiced alveolar plosive) - similar to the "d" sound in "dog"
bl̩ - /bl̩/ (syllabic consonant cluster) - a combination of "b" and "l" pronounced together as a single unit within the same syllable
In both pronunciations:
**/ˈ/: primary stress on the syllable
Word Form Variations
The word "double" has several word form variations depending on its part of speech:
Verb:
Present: double (e.g., The population doubled in ten years)
Past: doubled (e.g., They doubled their efforts)
Present participle: doubling (e.g., The sound of the engine doubling in speed)
Past participle: doubled (e.g., The recipe calls for a doubled amount of cheese)
Adjective:
Singular: double (e.g., a double cheeseburger, a double bed)
No plural form (We use "doubles" in specific contexts, but it's not a true plural of "double" as an adjective)
Noun:
Singular: double (e.g., I'll have a whiskey on the rocks, make that a double)
Plural: doubles (e.g., The team needs to practice their doubles more)
Other:
Adverb: rarely used, can be "doubly" (e.g., He was doubly disappointed)
Predeterminer: "double the" (e.g., double the amount of flour) (This usage is less common)
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: Twice the amount, quantity, or size of something.
Synonyms: twice the amount, duplicate, copy (informal)
Antonyms: half, single
Verb:
Definition: To become or make something twice the amount, quantity, or size.
Synonyms: increase by twofold, multiply by two, duplicate
Antonyms: halve, reduce by half
Adjective:
Definition: Having two of something, or being twice the usual amount, quantity, or size.
Synonyms: twofold, dual, twin (for related things)
Antonyms: single, half, solo
Adverb (rare):
Definition: To a twice greater extent or degree.
Synonyms: doubly, twofold (more common)
Antonyms: barely, hardly (for degree)
Predeterminer (less common):
Definition: Twice the amount of.
Synonyms: two times the (more common)
Antonyms: half the
Examples of Use
Noun:
Book: "He poured himself a generous double of scotch" (The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald)
Newspaper: "The city's population has seen a double in the last decade" (The New York Times)
Online Publication: "This recipe yields a double batch of cookies, perfect for sharing" (Allrecipes)
Entertainment (Movie): "I'll have a double espresso, please" (The Matrix)
Public Discourse: "The athlete went for a gold medal, but ended up with a silver double" (referring to winning second place in two different events)
Verb:
Book: "The witch doubled her speed as she chased after them" (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling)
Newspaper: "Researchers are working on a new technology that could double battery life" (The Guardian)
Online Publication: "How to double your income by starting a side hustle" (Forbes)
Entertainment (TV): "The contestant successfully doubled his winnings on the game show" (Jeopardy!)
Public Discourse: "The company plans to double its workforce by the end of the year" (business announcement)
Adjective:
Book: "He squeezed into the tiny double bed" (Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen)
Newspaper: "The suspect is facing double homicide charges" (referring to two murders)
Online Publication: "Learn these ten double dutch jump rope moves" (fitness website)
Entertainment (Music): "The band played a double encore for their enthusiastic fans" (playing two sets)
Public Discourse: "We need to find a double-sided solution that benefits both parties" (considering two perspectives)
Adverb (rare):
Book: "He was doubly disappointed when he found out his flight was cancelled" (The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien)
Predeterminer (less common):
Recipe: "Use double the amount of flour called for in the original recipe" (cooking instruction)
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Double
"The safe way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket." - Kin Hubbard (American humorist)
"A man who can smile in the face of trouble can probably find a double parking spot." - Fred Astaire (American dancer and actor)
"It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver." - Nicolas Chamfort (French aphorist)
"My expectations of other people, I double them on myself." - Michael Jordan (American basketball player)
"If you want to increase your success rate, double your failure rate." - Thomas J. Watson (American businessman)
"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." - Roald Amundsen (Norwegian explorer)
"Life is too short to miss out on the beautiful things like a double cheeseburger." - Unknown (often humorous saying)
"I'm not the greatest; I'm the double greatest. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round." - Muhammad Ali (American boxer)
"A double standard is something that can be applied to everyone else, but not to oneself." - Heywood Hale Broun (American journalist and author)
"If I asked for a cup of coffee, someone would search for the double meaning." - Oscar Wilde (Irish writer and poet) (This quote plays on the word's meaning of having a hidden meaning)
Etymology
The word "double" comes from a long journey through languages! It all starts with the Latin word "duplus," which literally means "twofold" or "twice as much." "Duplus" itself is built from two even older Latin words: "duo" meaning "two" and "plus" meaning "more."
Fast forward a bit, and Old French borrows "duplus" and turns it into "doble" or "double," which keeps the same meaning of "twofold" or "twice the amount." Finally, around 1200 AD, English borrows "double" from Old French, and that's the word we use today!
So, interestingly, "double" has always been about the idea of "twice" or having two of something. The next time you order a double cheeseburger, you can appreciate the long history behind that simple word!
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Double
General:
Double up: To fold something in half (e.g., Double up the blanket for extra warmth).
See double: To experience temporary double vision (often due to fatigue or intoxication).
Do double duty: To serve two purposes (e.g., This scarf can double as a blanket on chilly nights).
Double-edged sword: Something that has both positive and negative aspects.
In two minds/of two minds: To be unsure or undecided (similar to "on the fence").
Numbers and Measurement:
Double bill/feature: Two movies or performances presented together.
Double-digit: A number between 10 and 99.
On the double/at the double: Quickly, rapidly (e.g., "Get those reports to me on the double!").
Double time: Twice the usual speed or rate (often used for marching).
Actions:
Double back: To return to a previous location.
Double-cross: To betray someone, especially a friend or ally.
Play a double game: To be deceitful and act in two different ways.
Lead a double life: To have two separate and potentially hidden identities or lifestyles.
Bets and Games:
Double or nothing: A gamble where you can either double your winnings or lose everything.
Double play (baseball): A defensive play where two outs are recorded with one continuous action.
Other:
Body double: A person who stands in for an actor in scenes that are dangerous or require a stunt double.
Daily double (horse racing): Picking the winners of the first two races at a horse racing track.
Bent double: Hunched over or doubled at the waist (often due to pain or exhaustion).
Posts Related to Double
Source Information
Definition of double from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.