double

DUB-uhl/ˈdʌb(ə)l/

Verbdoubles, doubling, doubled

Noun pluraldoubles

61 meanings of double

Practice

1
twice the amountadjective
Being two times as much in amount or number.
Like getting two scoops of ice cream instead of just one.
She asked for a double scoop of chocolate ice cream.
We paid double rent for the larger apartment this month.
UsageSay double the price, with no of.
Oppositehalf
2
two-partadjective
Having two parts or layers that go together, or folded in two.
The jacket had a double row of buttons down the front.
Our kitchen has a double sink under the window.
Similardual, twin, paired, twofold
Oppositesingle
Note
3
multiply by twoverbtransitive
To make something twice as big or strong, or to grow to twice the size.
The company plans to double its workforce next year.
If you double the recipe, you can feed eight people.
UsageYou can double something, or a number can double by itself.
Oppositehalve
4
made for twoadjective
Made to be used by two people or things.
They booked a double room for the weekend.
The house came with a double garage.
UsageSay a double room or a double bed.
Oppositesingle
5
two times overadverb
In a way that is two times as much.
Working overtime, he earned double that week.
Taxis in this city charge double after midnight.
Similartwice, twofold
Oppositehalf
Note
6
second purposeverbintransitive
To also be used for a second job or purpose.
The sofa can double as a bed for overnight guests.
Our garage doubles as a workshop on weekends.
UsageSay something doubles as something else.
Similarserve, function, act, work
7
baseball hitnouncountable
A baseball hit that gets the batter safely to second base.
He hit a double and slid into second base.
Her double brought a runner home.
UsageSay a player hits a double.
Similartwo-bagger
Note
8
noununcountable
An amount that is two times as much as another.
Ten is the double of five.
Think of a number, then write down its double.
Oppositehalf
9
two meaningsadjective
Having two possible meanings, so it can be understood in more than one way.
Like a sentence that can be read two different ways.
Her remark carried a double meaning, both kind and cruel.
The joke has a double meaning that young kids won't catch.
UsageOften a double meaning: words that mean two things.
Similarambiguous, dual, equivocal, twofold, ambivalent
Oppositeunambiguous, single
10
stand-in personnouncountable
A person who looks very much like someone else, and sometimes takes their place.
Like someone who looks just like you stepping in to take your place.
The actor used a double for the dangerous scene.
The king sent a double to greet the crowd.
UsageIn movies, often a stunt double.
Similarlookalike, stand-in, doppelganger, twin, substitute
Note
11
league and cupnouncountable
In soccer, the winning of both a league and a cup by one team in the same season.
Their team won the double last year.
Winning the double made the players heroes in the city.
UsageSay a team won the double.
Note
12
two-base hitverbintransitive
In baseball, to hit the ball and get safely to second base on that hit.
If she can double here, two runs will score.
He doubled to left field and slid into second base.
UsageOften doubled to left or doubled off the wall.
Note
13
outer ring (darts)nouncountable
In darts, the thin ring that goes all the way around the outer edge of the board.
Her first dart landed in the double at the top of the board.
Darts that land outside the double do not score at all.
Note
14
matching dominonouncountable
In dominoes, a tile with the same number of dots on both of its ends.
He laid down a double with four dots on each end.
At the start of the domino game, I had three doubles in my hand.
Note
15
two event winsnouncountable
In sports, especially swimming and track, winning two events at the same meet.
Winning both of her swimming races gave Mia the double at the state meet.
The coach thinks Sam can win the double in the long-distance races at Saturday's meet.
UsageSay an athlete won the double.
Note
16
two-a-side gamenoununcountable
A game, often of tennis or badminton, with two players on each side.
My dad and I won our first doubles match at the park on Saturday.
She plays singles in the morning and doubles with her sister after lunch.
Oppositesingles
Note

Less common meanings

17
two shotsnouncountable
A drink that has two measures of alcohol in it.
He ordered a double at the bar after work.
Make mine a double, please.
UsageSay make mine a double.
Oppositesingle
18
fill in forverbtransitive or intransitive
To take over another performer's part in a play or show.
A stuntman doubled for the actor in the car chase.
Young actors often double for the main cast.
UsageSay someone doubles for an actor.
Similarsubstitute, deputize, understudy, cover
Note
19
spare itemnouncountable
An extra copy of something you already have.
Like having two of the same sticker when you only need one.
I have a double of that soccer card if you want it.
I have a double of this card, so you can have it.
Similarduplicate, copy, spare, extra
20
fold clothverbtransitive
To fold something over to make two layers.
Double the cloth before you cut the pattern.
She doubled the paper and tore it neatly along the crease.
UsageOften double it over.
Similarfold
Oppositeunfold
21
turn backverbintransitive
To turn back sharply, often the way you came.
We missed our exit and had to double back.
The deer doubled back and ran into the woods.
UsageSay double back when you turn and go back.
Similarbacktrack, twist, turn, zigzag
22
dishonestadjective
Not honest, saying or acting one way but meaning another.
He played a double game, pretending to help while plotting against them.
Everyone trusted him, but he was double and sold their secrets.
UsageOften a double life or a double game.
Similardeceitful, duplicitous, two-faced, hypocritical, false
Oppositehonest, sincere, straightforward, candid
Note
23
stoopingadjective
Bent over, with the top half of the body leaning far forward.
She laughed so hard at the joke that she was bent double.
The old man walked bent double, leaning on his cane.
UsageSay bent double.
24
folded in twoadverb
Into two halves, by folding or bending.
Fold the paper double so it fits the envelope.
He bent the card double and slipped it into his pocket.
UsageSay fold something double.
Note
25
two at onceadverb
Two at a time, or two people together.
The kids rode double on one bike.
The kids rode double on one bike all the way home.
UsageSay ride double or see double.
Oppositesingly
26
join togetherverbtransitive
To join two things together so they work as one.
Double two thin threads together to make one strong one.
The machine doubles two thin threads into one strong thread.
UsageSay double threads together.
Similarjoin, couple, pair
27
extra petalsadjective
Of a flower, having more petals than usual.
These double flowers have lots of extra petals.
He planted double tulips along the path.
Oppositesingle
28
make a fistverbtransitive
To close your hand tightly into a fist.
He doubled his fists and stepped toward the man.
He began to double his fist as the argument grew louder.
Similarclench, ball, close
Oppositeunclench, open
29
verbrare
To be two times as much as something else.
Thus re-inforc’d, againſt the adverſe Fleet / Still doubling ours, brave Rupert leads the way.
1667, John Dryden, Annus Mirabilis: The Year of Wonders
30
verbrare
To make an exact copy of something.
31
noundated
A sharp turn, especially one that goes back the way you came.
32
noun
In computers, a number with a decimal point stored with extra accuracy.
33
adjective
Related through both your mother's and your father's family.
34
adjective
Of a musical instrument, pitched one octave deeper than normal.
35
adjective
Of a musical beat, going at two times the speed.
36
noun
A ghost that looks exactly like a living person.
37
noun
In bridge, a call that raises the points if the last bid wins.
38
noun
In pool, a shot where the ball bounces off the side into a pocket.
39
noun
Two linked bets on horse races, with money won on the first put on the second.
40
noun
In darts, a throw that lands in the outer ring.
41
noun
A rowing boat for two people with two oars each.
42
noun
In sports, getting two goals or scores in one match.
43
noun
In cricket, getting a thousand runs and a hundred wickets in one season.
44
noun
An old coin of France, six of which made one sou.
45
noundialectalGuernsey
An old coin from Guernsey made of copper, with eight to the penny.
As for doubles, they are not worth anything now; and I have still got an egg-cupful my mother used to keep handy to give the baker change from a farthing.
1974, GB Edwards, The Book of Ebenezer Le Page
46
noun
Switching back and forth between two instruments for one musical line.
47
noun
A higher-ranked church feast day.
48
noun
A fast marching speed.
49
noun
Another instrument, besides the main one, that a player is good at.
50
noundated
A betrayal of someone who trusts you.
His fellows had chaffed him much upon the way that astute adventurer had bamboozled him, or, in their vernacular, "put the double on him," and vowed that all his energies should be devoted to a return match.
1880, Hawley Smart, False Cards
51
verb
To act two roles in the same play.
52
verb
To take a boat round the tip of a piece of land.
53
verb
To have another voice or instrument play the same part, at the same pitch or an octave apart.
54
verb
To also play another instrument.
55
verb
In bridge, to call so some points count double if the opponents' last bid ends up the contract.
56
verb
In blackjack, to bet twice as much and take only one more card.
57
verb
In pool, to bounce a ball off the side into a pocket.
58
verb
To march at a steady jog, or to go somewhere at a run.
59
verb
To join two lines of soldiers into one.
60
verbcolloquial
To send a radio signal on top of another one.
61
verb
To spy for both sides.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of double apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Latin "duplus," meaning "twofold," which came into English through Old French "double."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

English double ultimately derives from Latin duplus. en.wiktionary.org
Latin duplus means twofold. en.wiktionary.org
The word entered English through Old French double. en.wiktionary.org