doubleword
A2Neutral to formal depending on usage. Common in everyday, technical (computing, sports), and business contexts.
Definition
Meaning
consisting of two parts, twice as much, or a quantity that is two times the normal amount.
A wide range of meanings including to duplicate, to fold, to have a dual role or nature, to turn sharply in the opposite direction (in sports/nautical), or to stand in for an actor.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can function as an adjective, verb, noun, and adverb. The core sense of 'twice' is universal, but specific uses (e.g., 'double' in tennis, 'doubling' an actor) are domain-specific. Its meaning shifts significantly between contexts (e.g., 'double room' vs. 'double the recipe').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling: 'doubling'/'doubled' consistent. Key difference in sports: UK 'doubles match' (tennis, badminton) is common; US also uses but may specify 'doubles tennis'. In pubs, 'a double' (spirit measure) is standard in UK; common in US but 'a double shot' is also used.
Connotations
Generally neutral in both. In betting (UK), 'to double' is specific terminology. In film/TV, 'to double for' an actor is used in both.
Frequency
High and comparable frequency in both dialects for core meanings. 'Double up' (as in sharing) and 'double over' (in pain) are equally common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
double (as) somethingdouble (over/up) (with pain/laughter)double something (to/from something)double in size/number/valueVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “see double”
- “on the double”
- “double or nothing”
- “double-edged sword”
- “double down (on something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"We aim to double our market share within five years." (verb - increase)
Academic
"The experiment was conducted with a double-blind protocol." (adjective - controlling variables)
Everyday
"Could I have a double espresso, please?" (adjective - larger measure)
Technical
"The function uses a double-precision floating-point number." (computing - data type)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The company plans to double its investment in renewable energy.
- She doubled over with laughter at the joke.
- He doubles as the manager and lead developer.
American English
- We need to double the recipe for the party.
- The runner doubled back after missing the turn.
- The actor doubled for the star in the dangerous scene.
adverb
British English
- He saw double after the bump to his head.
- "Report to the office on the double!" the sergeant shouted.
American English
- After drinking, his vision went double.
- She ran double the speed to catch up.
adjective
British English
- They booked a double room at the hotel.
- She ordered a double vodka and lime.
- He was a double agent during the war.
American English
- We have a double sink in the master bathroom.
- He hit a double in the bottom of the ninth inning.
- The movie had a double meaning that wasn't obvious at first.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a double bed in my room.
- Can I have a double cheeseburger, please?
- One plus one is two, that's double one.
- We need to double the amount of flour for this cake.
- The magician's trick made me see double for a second.
- They won the doubles match in tennis.
- The new policy is a double-edged sword; it has both benefits and drawbacks.
- Profits are expected to double by the end of the fiscal year.
- She leads a double life, working as a librarian by day and a musician by night.
- The researcher employed a double-blind study to eliminate bias.
- The actor's stunt double performed the high-speed chase sequence.
- He doubled down on his criticism despite the mounting evidence to the contrary.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DOUBLE' as 'DO' + 'UBLE' (sounds like 'able'). You are 'able' to make two of something.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORE IS UP/TWICE (e.g., 'doubled our profits'), DUPLICATION IS MIRRORING (e.g., 'a double of the original'), DECEPTION IS A DOUBLE (e.g., 'leading a double life').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'двойной' for physical objects and 'удвоить' for the action. 'Double room' is 'номер на двоих' or 'двухместный номер', not 'двойная комната' (which implies two rooms). 'Double meaning' is 'двусмысленность', not 'двойное значение'. 'Double-check' is a fixed phrase; don't translate literally as 'дважды проверить' but use 'перепроверить'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'double' with plural nouns incorrectly: 'double the apples' (correct), not 'doubles the apples'. Confusing 'double' and 'both': 'Both windows' vs. 'Double windows' (which are layered). Overusing 'double' as a verb where 'repeat' or 'duplicate' is more precise.
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'double' specifically mean to turn sharply in the opposite direction?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, for the quantity two or twice as much. However, it extends metaphorically to roles (double agent), actions (double back), and objects with two layers (double glazing).
'Double' often implies a single unit made for two or twice the size (double bed, double portion). 'Twin' suggests two separate but identical or closely paired items (twin beds, twin engines).
Yes. Common uses include: a drink measure ("a double of whisky"), a duplicate person ("he's my double"), a hit in baseball ("he hit a double"), and a room for two ("book a double").
It means to check something a second time to be absolutely certain, to verify for accuracy and avoid mistakes.