xerox
B2Informal, Business
Definition
Meaning
A photocopy made by a xerographic process, or the act of making such a copy.
Any photocopy, regardless of brand; to make a copy of a document using a photocopier (often used generically, though a trademark).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A generic trademark (often used in lowercase). While its use as a verb is widespread, in formal contexts (legal, technical) 'photocopy' or 'copy' is preferred to avoid trademark infringement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is broadly similar. 'Photocopy' is equally common, especially in more formal British contexts.
Connotations
Conveys efficiency and office work. Its use can sound slightly dated or overly corporate compared to the more neutral 'copy' or 'photocopy'.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American corporate/office jargon than in British, where 'photocopy' is a strong competitor.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
xerox somethingxerox something for somebodyxerox something off/from somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A xerox of a xerox (meaning a degraded copy, or something unoriginal)”
- “Living on xeroxed notes (relying on copied materials for study)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common: 'Could you xerox this report for the meeting?'
Academic
Less common; 'photocopy' or 'copy' is preferred: 'Please provide a photocopy of your ID.'
Everyday
Informal: 'I'll just xerox this recipe for you.'
Technical
Avoided; specific terms like 'photocopy', 'scan', or 'hard copy' are used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I'll need to xerox these invoices before filing.
- She xeroxed the form and handed me the copy.
American English
- Can you xerox this for the team? I need ten copies.
- He xeroxed his passport page at the hotel business centre.
adverb
British English
- This document was xeroxed poorly.
- The manual was reproduced xerographically.
American English
- The image came out xerox-blurry.
- He distributed the handout xerox-quick.
adjective
British English
- We have a xerox copy in the archive.
- It was just a poor-quality xerox document.
American English
- She handed me a xerox version of the memo.
- The xerox paper tray is jammed again.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Here is a xerox of the map.
- I made a xerox for you.
- The secretary will xerox the reports before the meeting.
- We keep a xerox of every signed contract.
- The quality degrades if you xerox a xerox; always use the original.
- He was accused of distributing xeroxed copies of the copyrighted textbook.
- The policy of xeroxing archival documents is strictly regulated to prevent deterioration.
- Her argument was a mere xerox of the original thesis, lacking any novel insight.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Zero X' as in 'zero originals needed' - a Xerox creates copies so you don't need the original document.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLONING (creating an identical, but sometimes inferior, duplicate).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating 'ксерокс' as a verb in formal English ('I xeroxed it' is informal). Use 'photocopy' or 'copy'.
- In English, 'Xerox' is not the default generic word for all office printers or scanners, only photocopiers.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a countable noun for the machine itself ('the xerox' for 'the photocopier') is informal/colloquial.
- Misspelling as 'zerox' or 'xerocks'.
- Using it in formal writing where 'photocopy' is required.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate context for using the verb 'to xerox'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both. 'Xerox' is a registered trademark of the Xerox Corporation. However, through common usage, it has become a generic verb (to xerox) and noun (a xerox) meaning to make a photocopy. Dictionaries list it as such, though the company discourages generic use.
'Xerox' is informal and trademark-derived. 'Photocopy' is the standard, formal term for a copy made by a photocopier. 'Copy' is the broadest term, covering duplicates made by any means (handwritten, scanned, printed, photocopied).
No, not accurately. 'Xerox' traditionally refers specifically to the xerographic process that creates a physical copy (photocopy). Scanning creates a digital file. While some people might say 'xerox it to my email', it's technically incorrect; 'scan and email it' is precise.
The word originates from 'xerography', from the Greek roots 'xeros' (dry) and 'graphos' (writing). It follows the conventional English pronunciation of the initial 'X' as /z/ in words of Greek origin like 'xylophone' or 'xenon'.