Definition of “double” - English Dictionary

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“double” in English

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doubleadjective

uk ​ /ˈdʌb.əl/ us ​ /ˈdʌb.əl/

A2 twice the size, amount, price, etc., or consisting of two similar things together:

I ordered a double espresso (= two standard amounts in one cup).
Go through the double doors and turn left.
The word "cool" has a double "o" in the middle.
Everything he says has a double meaning (= has two possible meanings).
This painkiller is double strength (= has twice the normal amount of medicine).
UK Sabiha's phone number is double three, one, five, double seven (= 331577).

› A double flower or plant is a flower with more than the usual number of petals:

a double primrose

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doublenoun

uk ​ /ˈdʌb.əl/ us ​ /ˈdʌb.əl/

Idiom(s)

at/on the double
do the double over sb

doubleverb [ I or T ]

uk ​ /ˈdʌb.əl/ us ​ /ˈdʌb.əl/

B2 to become twice as much or as many, or to make something twice as much or many:

The government aims to double the number of students in higher education within 25 years.
Company profits have doubled since the introduction of new technology.

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Phrasal verb(s)

double back
double down
double down (on sth)
double up
double (up) as sth
double (sb) up/over

doublenoun, predeterminer

uk ​ /ˈdʌb.əl/ us ​ /ˈdʌb.əl/

B1 something that is twice the amount, size, strength, etc. of something else:

I paid double (= twice as much) for those trousers last week.
Electrical goods are almost double the price they were a few years ago.
"Would you like another whisky?" "Yes. Make it a double (= two standard amounts in one glass)."

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Idiom(s)

double or quits

doubleadverb

uk ​ /ˈdʌb.əl/ us ​ /ˈdʌb.əl/

› in two parts or layers:

Fold the blanket double (= so that it is in two layers) and then you won't be cold.
They were bent double (= their heads and shoulders were bent forward and down) from decades of work in the fields.
see double

› to have a problem with your eyes so that you see two of everything, usually because you are drunk or ill:

I started seeing double, then I fainted.

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(Definition of “double” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“double” in American English

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doubleadjective, adverb [ not gradable ]

us ​ /ˈdʌb·əl/

double adjective, adverb [ not gradable ] (TWICE)

› twice the size, amount, price, etc., or consisting of two similar things together:

The cost of going to the movies is almost double what it was a few years ago.
Fold the blanket double (= so that it is in two layers) and then you won’t be cold.

› A double bed is a bed for two people.

› If you are seeing double, you are seeing two of everything.

doublenoun [ C usually sing ]

us ​ /ˈdʌb·əl/

double noun [ C usually sing ] (PERSON)

› a person who looks the same as someone else:

She is a double for Mary Tyler Moore.

doubleverb [ I/T ]

us ​ /ˈdʌb·əl/

double verb [ I/T ] (TWICE)

› to become twice as much or as many, or to make something twice as much or as many:

[ I ] Company profits have doubled in the last year.
[ T ] For four people, just double the recipe (= make twice as much).

› If something or someone doubles as something or someone else, that person or thing has a second use or job:

[ I ] The kitchen table doubles as my desk.

Phrasal verb(s)

double over
double up

(Definition of “double” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“double” in Business English

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doubleverb

uk ​ /ˈdʌbl/ us ​

› [ I ] to become twice as much or as many:

Some share prices can double in 12 months.
double in size/price/value He reckons the company can double in size over the next five years.
Production more than doubled from 4 million to 8.5 million per year in three years.

› [ T ] to make something twice as much or many:

She is unlikely to accept, even though the offer would double her salary.
Strong car sales more than doubled the company's profits in the first quarter.

doublenoun [ U ]

uk ​ /ˈdʌbl/ us ​

› twice the amount, size, etc. of something else:

pay/cost double He offered to pay them double to get the job done on time.
The true figure is 30%, more than double the figure of 14% quoted.
The group increased operating profit to $21.2 million, almost double its $11 million figure for last year.
Unemployment in the region is double that of its neighbouring area.

doubleadjective

uk ​ /ˈdʌbl/ us ​

› two times the size, amount, price, etc.:

Taxis in the conference area were said to be charging double rates.
Staff have been working double shifts, 16 hours at a time, throughout the Christmas period.

› consisting of two similar things together:

double digits/figures He warned that inflation could soon reach double digits.
His extension number is 008, that's double zero eight.

(Definition of “double” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Blogs about "double"

Three and three quarters: How to say numbers (2)

by Liz Walter,

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