Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for hard copy. Search instead for hardcopy.
Synonyms

hard copy

American  

noun

  1. copy, as computer output printed on paper, that can be read without using a special device (soft copy ).

  2. copy that is finished and ready for the printer.

hard copy British  

noun

  1. computer output printed on paper, as contrasted with machine-readable output such as magnetic tape

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • hard-copy adjective

Etymology

Origin of hard copy

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"HMV is not the only supplier benefitting from this resurgence of the hard copy, also seen in books."

From BBC • Jul. 21, 2024

Meanwhile, the participants who held on to a hard copy of the insult experienced only a small decrease in their overall anger.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2024

School libraries would additionally be required to publish a catalogue of their materials on the school’s website, or in a hard copy upon request.

From Washington Times • Apr. 27, 2023

Respondents had the option to fill out the survey via hard copy or online.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2022

E-mail was received in Kathmandu, printed out, and the hard copy was transported by yak to Base Camp.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.