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
doubled; doubling
ˈdə-b(ə-)liŋ 
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
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
Jim Trotter1
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
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
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
Synonyms
Adjective
Verb
Adverb
Noun
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 WebShreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2024
That’s still double what the average rate was just three years ago.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 July 2024
Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2024
Earlier this year, anti-doping measures were brought into the single and doubles rulebooks, meaning HYROX athletes are now held to the standards of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
—Ben Church, CNN, 4 July 2024
Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2024
There are 186 windows in the superstructure, 28 of which are double curved.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 4 July 2024
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 7 July 2024
Austin Hays led the offense on his 29th birthday with three hits — an RBI double in the second, another two-bagger in the third and a bloop single in the sixth.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for double 
Adjective
Witt’s double in the third inning got the scoring started Wednesday night.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2024
That’s still double what the average rate was just three years ago.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 July 2024
Verb
Advertisement California has the highest state tax on gas in the country, which has more than doubled since June 2017, according to the California Taxpayers Assn.
—Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2024
Earlier this year, anti-doping measures were brought into the single and doubles rulebooks, meaning HYROX athletes are now held to the standards of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
—Ben Church, CNN, 4 July 2024
Adverb
Like our offensive coordinator always finding ways to get me the ball even when I was double teamed on the outside.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2024
There are 186 windows in the superstructure, 28 of which are double curved.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 4 July 2024
Noun
Brandon Nimmo gave the Mets the lead with an RBI double in the eighth inning, only to watch the bullpen give the lead away.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 7 July 2024
Austin Hays led the offense on his 29th birthday with three hits — an RBI double in the second, another two-bagger in the third and a bloop single in the sixth.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 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.
Articles Related to double
Dictionary Entries Near double
Cite this Entry
“Double.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
double
1 of 4 adjective
dou·ble
ˈdəb-əl
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
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 adverb1
2
: two together
sleep double
double
4 of 4 noun1
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
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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