2 VERB If you copy something, you produce something that looks like the original thing. □ [V n] She never participated in obtaining or copying any classified documents for anyone. □ [be V -ed] …top designers, whose work has been widely copied. □ [V n + from ] He copied the chart from a book.
3 VERB If you copy a piece of writing, you write it again exactly. □ [V n] He would allow John to copy his answers to difficult algebra questions. □ [V n + into ] He copied the data into a notebook. □ [V + from ] We're copying from textbooks because we don't have enough to go round. ● PHRASAL VERB Copy out means the same as copy . □ [V P n] He wrote the title on the blackboard, then copied out the text sentence by sentence. □ [V n P ] 'Did he leave a phone number?'—'Oh, yes.' She copied it out for him.
4 VERB If you copy a person or what they do, you try to do what they do or try to be like them, usually because you admire them or what they have done. □ [V n] Children can be seen to copy the behaviour of others whom they admire or identify with. □ [V n + from ] …the coquettish gestures she had copied from actresses in soap operas. ● copy|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Children learn by copying.
5 N‑COUNT A copy of a book, newspaper, or CD is one of many that are exactly the same. □ [+ of ] I bought a copy of 'U.S.A. Today' from a street-corner machine. □ You can obtain a copy for $2 from New York Central Art Supply.
6 N‑UNCOUNT In journalism, copy is written material that is ready to be printed or read in a broadcast. [TECHNICAL ] □ …his ability to write the most lyrical copy in the history of sports television. □ …advertising copy.
7 N‑UNCOUNT In journalism, copy is news or information that can be used in an article in a newspaper. [TECHNICAL ] □ …journalists looking for good copy.
8 → see also back copy , carbon copy , hard copy COLLOCATIONS copy NOUN
1
adjective + copy : duplicate, exact, identical
verb + copy : keep, obtain, receive; enclose, send
5
noun + copy : hardback, paperback
adjective + copy : advance, autographed, bound, free; dog-eared, well-thumbed
verb + copy : buy, distribute, sell, sign VERB
2
copy + noun : document, file, software
copy + adverb : illegally; widely
3
copy + noun : drawing, text
copy + adverb : painstakingly, verbatim
4
copy + noun : behaviour
copy + adverb : slavishly
copy|book /kɒ pibʊk/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A copybook action is done perfectly, according to established rules. [mainly BRIT ] □ Yuri gave a copybook display.
2 PHRASE If you blot your copybook , you spoil your good reputation by doing something wrong. [mainly BRIT ] □ Alec blotted his copybook–got sent home for bad behaviour.
copy|cat /kɒ pikæt/ (copycats ) also copy-cat
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A copycat crime is committed by someone who is copying someone else. □ …a series of copycat attacks by hooligan gangs.
2 N‑COUNT If you call someone a copycat , you are accusing them of copying your behaviour, dress, or ideas. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ It is said that Coco Chanel herself didn't mind copycats.
copy|ist /kɒ pi I st/ (copyists ) N‑COUNT A copyist copies other people's music or paintings or, in the past, made written copies of documents. □ She copies the true artist's signature as part of a painting, as do most copyists.
copy|right /kɒ pira I t/ (copyrights ) N‑VAR If someone has copyright on a piece of writing or music, it is illegal to reproduce or perform it without their permission. □ To order a book one first had to get permission from the monastery that held the copyright. □ She threatened legal action for breach of copyright.
copy|right|ed /kɒ pira I t I d/ ADJ Copyrighted material is protected by a copyright. □ They used copyrighted music without permission.
copy|writer /kɒ pira I tə r / (copywriters ) N‑COUNT A copywriter is a person whose job is to write the words for advertisements.
co|quette /kɒke t, [AM ] koʊ-/ (coquettes ) N‑COUNT A coquette is a woman who behaves in a coquettish way.
co|quet|tish /kɒke t I ʃ, [AM ] koʊ-/ ADJ If you describe a woman as coquettish , you mean she acts in a playful way that is intended to make men find her attractive. □ …a coquettish glance.
cor /kɔː r / EXCLAM You can say cor when you are surprised or impressed. [BRIT , INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ Cor, look, Annie.
cora|cle /kɒ rək ə l, [AM ] kɔː -/ (coracles ) N‑COUNT In former times, a coracle was a simple round rowing boat made of woven sticks covered with animal skins.
cor|al /kɒ rəl, [AM ] kɔː -/ (corals )
1 N‑VAR Coral is a hard substance formed from the bones of very small sea animals. It is often used to make jewellery. □ The women have elaborate necklaces of turquoise and pink coral.
2 N‑COUNT Corals are very small sea animals.
3 COLOUR Something that is coral is dark orangey-pink in colour. □ …coral lipstick. □ …the coral-coloured flower buds.