carbon copy

noun

1. 1. a duplicate of anything written or typed, made by using a photocopier or, formerly, by using carbon paper. : cc
   2. a copy of an email or other electronic document that is sent to one or more people in addition to the primary addressee. : cc
2. a near or exact duplicate of a given person or thing; replica:

   She's a carbon copy of her mother.

carbon copy

noun

1. a duplicate copy of writing, typewriting, or drawing obtained by using carbon paper Often shortened tocarbon
2. informal.
   a person or thing that is identical or very similar to another

Word History and Origins

Origin of carbon copy¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Idioms and Phrases

A person or thing that closely resembles another, as in Our grandson is a carbon copy of his dad . Originally this term meant a copy of a document made by using carbon paper. The linguistic transfer to other kinds of duplicate survived the demise of carbon paper (replaced by photocopiers, computer printers, and other more sophisticated devices). [c. 1870]

Example Sentences

Running a carbon copy of a guy who couldn't beat Trump in a primary seems, on paper, to be a uniquely stupid campaign strategy.

From Salon

Kids in her grade are “obsessed with TikTok” and posting videos of themselves that look to her like carbon copies.

From Seattle Times

Scotland in contrast were clinical when their opportunity arose from line-out ball, and it was a carbon copy of the first try.

From BBC

The series could run the risk of turning off book readers who want a carbon copy of the story as Liu wrote it.

From Los Angeles Times

Suddenly, the 243 passengers of Flight 006 have to reckon with confronting carbon copies of themselves, who have been leading parallel lives for the past three months.

From New York Times

Related Words

• mirror image