duplicator: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal/technical
Quick answer
What does “duplicator” mean?
A machine or person that makes copies.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A machine or person that makes copies.
Anything that produces a duplicate or an exact imitation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally understood, but specific types of duplicators (e.g., 'spirit duplicator,' 'mimeograph') might be referenced with differing regional familiarity.
Connotations
Often carries a somewhat dated, mid-20th-century technological connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in contemporary general usage, as the function is largely covered by 'copier', 'printer', or 'scanner'. Higher frequency in historical or specialized technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “duplicator” in a Sentence
[The/An] NOUN duplicatorduplicator for/of NOUNoperate/use the duplicatorVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “duplicator” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The clerk was asked to duplicator the memo. (Incorrect usage - 'to duplicate' is correct)
American English
- (No standard verb form for 'duplicator'. Use 'to duplicate'.)
adverb
British English
- (No adverbial form derived from 'duplicator')
American English
- (No adverbial form derived from 'duplicator')
adjective
British English
- We need more duplicator paper for the machine. (Refers to paper *for* a duplicator)
American English
- The duplicator toner cartridge is empty.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to outdated office equipment for bulk copying of documents.
Academic
Used in historical studies of technology or media; also metaphorically in critiques of unoriginal scholarship.
Everyday
Rare; replaced by 'printer' or 'photocopier'.
Technical
Can refer to specific devices in printing, data storage (disk duplicator), or biology (gene duplicator).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “duplicator”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “duplicator”
- Confusing 'duplicator' (machine/person) with 'duplicate' (the copy itself or the verb).
- Using it as a general synonym for a modern laser printer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Traditional duplicators (like mimeographs) used a master stencil to create many copies of the same page. Modern printers typically create each copy directly from a digital file.
Yes, though it's less common. It can refer to someone who makes copies (archaic) or, more often, metaphorically to someone who imitates or replicates something without originality (e.g., 'He's just a duplicator of his mentor's style').
Also known as a 'ditto machine', it was a low-cost printing method that used a solvent to transfer dye from a master sheet to copies, often producing purple-colored text.
No, it is considered dated for general use. It survives in specific technical fields (e.g., 'disk duplicator') and historical discussion.
A machine or person that makes copies.
Duplicator is usually formal/technical in register.
Duplicator: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdjuː.plɪ.keɪ.tə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈduː.plə.keɪ.t̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A mere duplicator of ideas (metaphorical use implying lack of originality)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'duplicate' + '-or' (a thing that does something). A duplicator is a thing that duplicates.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MACHINE IS A CLONER / ORIGINALITY IS A SINGLE SOURCE.
Practice
Quiz
In a modern context, which word has most commonly replaced 'duplicator' in everyday office language?