double

1 of 4

adjective

dou·​ble ˈdə-bəl How to pronounce double (audio)
1
: having a twofold relation or character : dual
2
: consisting of two usually combined members or parts
an egg with a double yolk
3
a
: being twice as great or as many
double the number of expected applicants
b
of a coin : worth two of the specified amount
a double eagle
a double crown
4
: marked by duplicity : deceitful
5
: folded in two
6
: of extra size, strength, or value
a double martini
7
: having more than the normal number of floral leaves often at the expense of the sporophylls
8
of rhyme : involving correspondence of two syllables (as in exciting and inviting)
9
: designed for the use of two persons
a double room
a double bed
doubleness noun

double

2 of 4

verb

doubled; doubling ˈdə-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce double (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to make twice as great or as many: such as
a
: to increase by adding an equal amount
b
: to amount to twice the number of
c
: to make a call in bridge that increases the value of odd tricks or undertricks at (an opponent's bid)
2
a
: to bend or fold (something, such as a sheet of paper) usually in the middle so that one part lies directly against the other part
b
: clench
doubled his fist
c
: to cause to stoop
3
: to avoid by doubling : elude
4
a
: to replace in a dramatic role
b
: to play (dramatic roles) by doubling
5
a(1)
: to advance or score (a base runner) by a double
(2)
: to bring about the scoring of (a run) by a double
b
: to put out (a base runner) in completing a double play
6
: double-team
Jackson's absence was supposed to allow defenses to double Gates.Jim Trotter

intransitive verb

1
a
: to become twice as much or as many
b
: to double a bid (as in bridge)
2
a
: to turn sharply and suddenly
especially : to turn back on one's course
the rabbit doubled back on its tracks
b
: to follow a circuitous course
3
: to become bent or folded usually in the middle
usually used with up
she doubled up in pain
4
a
: to serve an additional purpose or perform an additional duty
b
: to play a dramatic role as a double
5
: to make a double in baseball
doubler noun

double

3 of 4

adverb

1
: to twice the extent or amount
2
: two together
the children had to sleep double
3
: downward and forward from the usual position
he was bent double with pain

double

4 of 4

noun

1
: something twice the usual size, strength, speed, quantity, or value: such as
a
: a double amount
b
: a base hit that enables the batter to reach second base
2
: one that is the counterpart of another : duplicate: such as
a
: a living person that closely resembles another living person
b
: wraith
c(1)
(2)
: one who resembles an actor and takes his or her place especially in scenes calling for special skills
(3)
: an actor who plays more than one role in a production
3
a
: a sharp turn (as in running) : reversal
b
: an evasive shift
4
: something consisting of two paired members: such as
a
: fold
b
: a combined bet placed on two different contests
c
: two consecutive strikes in bowling
5
doubles plural : a game between two pairs of players
6
: an act of doubling in a card game
7
: a room (as in a hotel) for two guests compare single sense 4
Phrases
on the double
: very quickly : right away

Examples of double in a Sentence

Adjective One of the eggs had a double yolk. The truck crossed the double yellow line and entered the other lane. My name is “Allison,” with a double “l.” Go through those double doors and walk to the end of the hall. I'll have a double espresso, please. a double dose of medicine a double order of fries Verb We all doubled over laughing. He doubled up in pain. Adverb raced to his side double quick Noun I'll have one more glass of vodka. Make it a double, please. People often tell me that I'm his double. The actress's double did all of the dangerous scenes. Can you tell if it's the actor or his double in that shot? He hit a double in the eighth inning.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The grid of the future needs to be somewhere between double to triple the size of the current grid – and getting regions better connected, Energy Department officials estimate. Ella Nilsen, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024 The Mets made it 3-2 in the bottom of the third before the Dodgers added two more runs in the top of the fourth on a double by Mookie Betts, leaving the Dodgers up 5-2. Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
That’s because cocoa prices have more than doubled since the start of the year and have remained at record highs, according to Wells Fargo data shared with CNN. Erika Tulfo, CNN, 20 Oct. 2024 Make one batch at a time—do not halve or double the recipe. Shelli McConnell, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2024
Adverb
Buehler gave up a two-run double to David Peralta and grooved an 0-and-2 fastball to Fernando Tatis Jr., who crushed a rally-capping two-run homer to left-center field. Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024 Two things are going on with articles post-May 10's spectacular aurora display — and this now goes double in the wake of the arguably even stronger Oct. 10 display. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
Doubles The Los Angeles Dodgers were third in the MLB in doubles this season with 291. Giovanni Malloy, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 With Wimbledon doubles’ champion Taylor Townsend on the board of directors, BGTC has provided countless community clinics across the nation, partnered with local historically Black college and university tennis teams, and had Zendaya step out in their merch. Essence, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for double 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'double.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French duble, double, from Latin duplus (akin to Greek diploos), from duo two + -plus multiplied by; akin to Old English -feald -fold — more at two, -fold

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of double was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near double

Cite this Entry

“Double.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

double

1 of 4 adjective
dou·​ble ˈdəb-əl How to pronounce double (audio)
1
: dual sense 1
a double role
2
: consisting of two members or parts
an egg with a double yolk
3
: being twice as great or as many
had double the number of expected sales
4
: folded in two
5
: having more than the usual number of floral parts and especially petals
double roses
doubleness noun

double

2 of 4 verb
doubled; doubling ˈdəb-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce double (audio)
1
: to make, be, or become twice as great or as many
double a recipe
2
a
: to bend or fold (as a sheet of paper) usually in the middle so that one part lies directly against the other part
b
: to close tightly the fingers of : clench
doubled his fist
c
: to cause to bend at the waist
d
: to become bent or folded usually in the middle
she doubled up in pain
3
: to have an additional use or job
the cook doubles as dishwasher
4
: to make a double in baseball
5
: to turn sharply and go back on the same path first taken
the rabbit doubled back on its tracks

double

3 of 4 adverb
1
2
: two together
sleep double

double

4 of 4 noun
1
a
: something twice another
12 is the double of 6
b
: a hit in baseball that allows a batter to reach second base
2
: duplicate entry 3
especially : a person who closely resembles another
3
: a sharp turn : reversal
4
5
plural : a game between two pairs of players
tennis doubles
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English double "double, dual," from early French double (same meaning), from Latin duplus "double," from duo "two" and -plus "multiplied by" — related to dual

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