reproduce
B2Neutral to formal; common in academic, scientific, and technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To make a copy or duplicate of something; to produce again.
To generate offspring biologically; to recreate or replicate something (e.g., a sound, image, or result); to recall or represent something from memory.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb spans concrete (biological reproduction, copying documents) and abstract (reproducing results in an experiment, reproducing a feeling in art) domains. It implies fidelity to an original.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Spelling of related words differs (e.g., BrE 'reproducible' vs. AmE also 'reproducible', but no change for the verb).
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in AmE academic corpora, but the difference is negligible.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VN] (reproduce something)[V] (intransitive, for organisms)[VN that] (reproduce findings that...)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms with 'reproduce' as the headword]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
We need to reproduce last quarter's sales success.
Academic
The study's findings could not be reproduced by independent researchers.
Everyday
Can you reproduce that noise your car was making?
Technical
The printer can reproduce colours with high fidelity.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The document was reproduced on the office copier.
- These fungi reproduce through spores.
- She could reproduce the melody from memory.
American English
- We reproduced the experiment in our lab.
- The animals reproduce quickly in warm climates.
- The software reproduces the error every time.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form from 'reproduce'.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form from 'reproduce'.]
adjective
British English
- [Not a standard adjective form. Use 'reproducible' or 'reproductive'.]
American English
- [Not a standard adjective form. Use 'reproducible' or 'reproductive'.]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Can you reproduce this drawing?
- Rabbits reproduce very fast.
- The machine reproduces sound very clearly.
- Scientists tried to reproduce the test results.
- The study's methodology must be clearly described so others can reproduce it.
- The artist sought to reproduce the exact lighting of the original scene.
- The committee found the data to be irreproducible, casting doubt on the original claims.
- His writing reproduces the complex social tensions of the era with remarkable acuity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE (again) + PRODUCE (make) = to make again.
Conceptual Metaphor
CREATION IS COPYING (e.g., 'reproducing an experiment'), LIFE IS A CYCLICAL PROCESS (biological reproduction).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'reproduce' for 'represent' in abstract art contexts where 'изображать' is better. In biology, 'reproduce' is 'размножаться', not 'воспроизводить' which is for copying.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'reproduce' instead of 'present' or 'describe' (e.g., 'He reproduced the story' is odd; 'He recounted the story' is better). Overusing in non-technical contexts where 'copy' or 'repeat' suffices.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'reproduce' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is used broadly for copying anything (documents, sounds, results) and specifically for biological reproduction.
'Reproduce' often implies a more precise, faithful, or technical replication, especially of complex things (experiments, art, sounds). 'Copy' is more general and casual.
Yes, especially in biology: 'These organisms reproduce asexually.'
The main nouns are 'reproduction' (the process or a copy) and 'reproducibility' (the quality of being able to be reproduced, especially in science).