Copy Meaning
Copy Definition & Usage
An identical reproduction or duplicate of an original document, work, or item.
Examples
- "Please make a copy of this report for the meeting."
- "She handed me a copy of the book so I could read it over the weekend."
- "The artist created several copies of the original painting to sell in her gallery."
- "The copy of the contract was signed by both parties."
- "I lost my keys, so I need to make a copy of my spare key."
To make a duplicate or reproduction of something.
Examples
- "I need to copy this file to my USB drive before the meeting."
- "Can you copy the details from the original spreadsheet into the new one?"
- "The teacher asked us to copy the notes from the board into our notebooks."
- "She copied the information from the old database into the new system."
- "I will copy the recipe for you, just give me a moment."
Text or content produced for advertising, promotional, or informational purposes.
Examples
- "The marketing team worked hard on the copy for the new ad campaign."
- "The website's copy was written to appeal to a younger demographic."
- "She’s a copywriter for a popular advertising agency."
- "Good copy can make or break a product launch."
- "We need to revise the copy on the brochure to make it more engaging."
A duplication of data from one location to another, typically on a computer or electronic device.
Examples
- "Be sure to back up your files by creating a copy on the cloud."
- "He made a copy of the program onto a new drive."
- "I accidentally deleted the file, but I had made a copy earlier."
- "You should copy your contacts to avoid losing them when switching phones."
- "After the crash, I restored the copy of the system from the backup."
Cultural Context
The word 'copy' has been in use since the 14th century, derived from Latin 'copia' meaning abundance or plenty, which reflects its early association with replication. In modern times, the term has evolved to encompass a wide range of uses, from document reproduction to digital data duplication, and even specialized meanings in advertising.
The Copy that Changed Everything
Story
The Copy that Changed Everything
It was a normal Monday morning when Mia sat down at her desk, ready to tackle the mountain of work awaiting her. She had been asked to copy a few documents for the upcoming company meeting, a simple task that seemed like just another part of the routine. But as she stared at the report on her screen, something strange caught her attention. The file wasn’t just any report; it was a copy of a confidential document she had been working on for weeks, a document containing critical information about an upcoming merger. Mia froze, realizing that the copy might have been made by someone else. She began to wonder if someone at her company had copied her work without permission, perhaps to get ahead or secure a promotion. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she started digging into the metadata of the file, trying to find clues about its origin. Sure enough, the document’s history revealed that it had been copied by an anonymous user just hours before it was due to be shared with the board. As she prepared to confront her colleague, Mia’s phone buzzed with an urgent email. It was from the marketing department, asking her to review the new ad campaign copy before it went live. 'Copy,' Mia thought. 'It’s all about the copy today.' She couldn’t help but smile at the irony. What had started as a simple duplication of a report had now escalated into a mystery involving both corporate intrigue and the importance of words in advertising. Later that afternoon, Mia confronted her colleague, who admitted to copying the report but claimed it was for 'backup' purposes. While Mia didn’t fully believe the explanation, she knew the issue wasn’t just about the copy itself but about trust. As the day came to a close, she reflected on the significance of copies in her life — whether it was a simple reproduction of a document, the copy she was writing for the ad campaign, or even a backup of her important files on the cloud. In each case, the act of copying held a deeper meaning, one tied to preservation, protection, and, sometimes, even deception.
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