ditto

American  

[dit-oh] / ˈdɪt oʊ /

noun

plural

dittos

1. the aforesaid; the above; the same (used in accounts, lists, etc., to avoid repetition). do. ″.

2. another of the same.

3. Informal. a duplicate; copy.

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adverb

1. as already stated; likewise.

verb (used with object)

dittoed, dittoing

1. to duplicate or repeat the action or statement of (another person).

2. to make a copy of, as by using a Ditto machine.

ditto British  

/ ˈdɪtəʊ /

noun

1.  do.  the aforementioned; the above; the same. Used in accounts, lists, etc, to avoid repetition and symbolized by two small marks (ˌ) known as ditto marks , placed under the thing repeated

2. informal

   1. a duplicate

   2. ( as modifier )

      a ditto copy

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adverb

1. in the same way

1. informal used to avoid repeating or to confirm agreement with an immediately preceding sentence

verb

1. (tr) to copy; repeat

Etymology

Origin of ditto

First recorded in 1615–25; from Italian, variant of detto “said,” from Latin dictus, past participle of dīcere “to say”; see dictum ( def. )

Explanation

A ditto looks like a quotation mark — " — and it's used as you go down a list to indicate you're repeating whatever is above. If your jellies and jams all cost $2.00, you can write $2.00 just once with the first item on your price list and " in the price column next to each item listed below. You can also use the word ditto informally to describe repetition: "I can't believe you wore those shoes. Ditto that hat." You may recognize Ditto as the aptly named son of the comic strip characters Hi and Lois; he’s the twin brother of Dot.

Example Sentences

For the first half of the 20th century, this need was addressed—sort of—via mimeographs and ditto machines.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 15, 2025

That Ellie is relentless has been made abundantly clear; ditto the fact that she is confused about her purpose in life.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2025

England's 2005 Ashes winners didn't always get on, ditto the great Australian teams led by Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2023

Paul has an Asian neighbor who has taken over carpool duties so he can work on his book; ditto for her on the memorability factor.

From Salon • Nov. 27, 2022

And ditto the vinegar-soaked mirror and extinguished candle stub.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson