duplex: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Real Estate/Formal
Quick answer
What does “duplex” mean?
Having two parts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Having two parts; double.
A house divided into two separate living units, or a flat/apartment on two floors. Also refers to a communications link allowing simultaneous two-way transmission.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In BrE, 'duplex' is more commonly used in technical/engineering contexts. In AmE, it is the standard real estate term for a two-family house.
Connotations
AmE: Primarily real estate, often neutral to positive (more space). BrE: Can sound more technical or like an Americanism in property contexts.
Frequency
Higher frequency in AmE, especially in property listings. Lower frequency in BrE, where 'semi-detached house' or 'maisonette' might be used.
Grammar
How to Use “duplex” in a Sentence
a duplex of (premises)to duplex (verb - tech)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “duplex” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system can duplex signals across the channel.
American English
- The new router is designed to duplex data efficiently.
adverb
British English
- [Rarely used as an adverb]
American English
- [Rarely used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- They installed a duplex printer in the office.
American English
- They bought a lovely duplex house in the suburbs.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to duplex printing (printing on both sides of the paper).
Academic
Used in telecommunications (duplex communication) and biology (duplex DNA).
Everyday
Primarily used in AmE for a type of shared housing.
Technical
Describes systems allowing simultaneous two-way data flow.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “duplex”
- Using 'duplex' in BrE to mean a semi-detached house (incorrect). Confusing 'duplex' (two units) with 'duplicate' (a copy).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A duplex is one building containing two separate units, often one above the other or side-by-side with a common wall. A semi-detached house is one of a pair of houses joined by a common side wall.
Yes, but primarily in technical contexts (e.g., telecommunications, computing) meaning to set up or operate a two-way simultaneous communication system.
It refers to a communication system that can transmit and receive data simultaneously (like a telephone conversation). The opposite is 'half duplex,' which can only send or receive at one time (like a walkie-talkie).
'Simplex' printing, which prints on one side of the paper only.
Having two parts.
Duplex is usually technical/real estate/formal in register.
Duplex: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdjuːplɛks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈduːplɛks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'DUO' (two) + 'PLEX' (fold/weave) = something with two folded-together parts.
Conceptual Metaphor
TWO IS A PAIR / COMMUNICATION IS A TWO-WAY STREET.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'duplex' MOST commonly used in British English?