le double
double
C’est quelque chose qui existe en deux exemplaires ou qui est répété une fois.
Definition & meaning
Double means twice as much, twice as many, or consisting of two equal parts.
- un double salaire — a salary that is twice as high
- une double porte — a double door
- une dose double — a double dose
It can also mean two identical or corresponding things together:
- un double de la clé — a duplicate copy of the key
- jouer en double — to play doubles, especially in tennis
As a noun, un double can refer to:
- a duplicate or copy: faire un double — to make a copy
- a double room: réserver un double — to book a double room
- a stunt double or body double, depending on context: le double d’un acteur — an actor’s double
The expression voir double means to see double, usually because of blurred or duplicated vision.
Grammar & Word origin
Double is an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it has the same form in the masculine and feminine:
- un double avantage — a double advantage
- une double erreur — a double mistake
- des doubles avantages — double advantages
It comes from the Latin word duplus, meaning “twofold” or “double.” It is related to the number deux , meaning “two.”
The verb doubler means “to double,” “to overtake,” or “to dub,” depending on the context.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- deux fois — “twice”; emphasizes multiplication by two rather than the adjective “double”
- dupliqué — duplicated or copied; refers specifically to a copy
- en double — in duplicate or in pairs
- jumeau — twin or matching counterpart; usually refers to people or closely corresponding objects
Antonyms
- simple — single or not doubled
- unique — unique, with no duplicate or counterpart
- moitié — half; the opposite of twice as much in a numerical sense
Common phrases & collocations
- un double avantage — a double advantage
- une double peine — a double penalty or punishment
- un double diplôme — a double degree
- une double vie — a double life
- voir double — to see double
- faire le double — to do twice as much
- doubler la mise — to double the stakes
- doubler quelqu’un — to overtake someone while driving or moving past them
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Examples
Je commande un burger double.adjective
I am ordering a double burger.
Nous avons pris une portion double de frites.adjective
We took a double portion of fries.
La porte double reste ouverte.adjective
The double door remains open.
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