double
/ˈdʌbl/ (bre, ipa) · [dˈʌbəl] /ˈdʌbl/ (ame, ipa) · [dˈʌbəl] /ˈdə-bəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈdʌb.əl/ (bre, ipa) · [dˈʌbəl] /ˈdʌb.əl/ (ame, ipa)
double — adjective
- doublepositive
- doublercomparative
- doublestsuperlative
1. two times the usual size, amount, number, or strength of something; made up of t
two times the usual size, amount, number, or strength of something; made up of two similar parts that go together.
Zuri ordered a double coffee because she had a long night ahead.
double + noun for two times the amount
The restaurant charged double the normal price for the holiday menu.
double the + noun for comparison
Lan wrote his phone number on a double sheet of paper, folded neatly.
A double door at the entrance made the hall look grand and open.
文法句型
double + noun
用法筆記
Attributive only — this sense of double must come before the noun it describes. You can say a double bed but not The bed is double.
常見錯誤
2. describes a flower that has many more petals than the usual kind, giving it a de
describes a flower that has many more petals than the usual kind, giving it a dense, layered look.
Sirin planted double peonies in the garden because their thick petals lasted longer in the rain.
double + flower type for many-petalled blooms
The florist recommended a double rose variety for the wedding bouquet.
Élise prefers double tulips over single ones since they look fuller in a vase.
Gardeners often choose double camellias for their rich, rounded shape.
- fully double
technical gardening term for the densest petal arrangement
- multi-petalled
descriptive but not a standard horticulture label
- single
a flower with one layer of petals
文法句型
double + flower/plant noun
用法筆記
Almost always used in gardening discussions. This sense does not apply to fruits or leaves — only flowers. The opposite is single-flowered.
3. designed or built to hold, seat, or serve two people at the same time — used esp
designed or built to hold, seat, or serve two people at the same time — used especially for beds, rooms, and seats.
The hotel upgraded the family to a double room with two large windows facing the sea.
double room = room for two people
Nellie bought a double sofa for the living room so two people could nap comfortably.
Samir booked a double cabin on the ferry for the overnight crossing.
The old kitchen had a double sink, one side for washing and one for rinsing.
- single
made for one person only
文法句型
double + noun (furniture/room)
用法筆記
Overlaps with sense 1 (TWICE AS MUCH) when applied to beds and rooms. The difference: MADE FOR TWO focuses on capacity (fits two people), while TWICE AS MUCH focuses on size or quantity. A double bed is bigger than a single; a double room is priced for two occupants.
4. having two different roles, purposes, or characteristics at the same time — ofte
having two different roles, purposes, or characteristics at the same time — often used to describe something that serves two functions or combines two qualities.
The new bridge has a double purpose: it carries cars and acts as a walking path.
double + purpose/function for combined roles
Gabriel felt a double sense of pride and sadness watching his son leave for university.
double + abstract noun for combined feelings
The movie had a double meaning that only older audiences understood.
Living abroad gave Camila a double identity — she belonged to two cultures at once.
- single
having only one purpose or characteristic
文法句型
double + noun (abstract quality)
用法筆記
Common with abstract nouns such as purpose, meaning, role, standard, identity, sense. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not describe physical size or quantity.
常見錯誤
double — noun
- doublesingular
- doublesplural
1. someone whose face is nearly identical to another person's, making it easy to co
someone whose face is nearly identical to another person's, making it easy to confuse one with the other.
At the party, a stranger told Tariq he was the double of a famous actor.
the double of someone — lookalike construction
The film used a stunt double for the dangerous car-chase scenes.
stunt double — specific type of lookalike
People often stop Rachel on the street because she is the double of a well-known singer.
The president's double appeared at the public event to confuse the press.
- lookalike
more general; can describe objects or people
- spitting image
informal expression; stronger emphasis on exact resemblance
- doppelgänger
from German; suggests a ghostly or coincidental double
文法句型
sb's double
a double of someone
用法筆記
Often used with possessive: John's double. In entertainment contexts, see also stunt double (for dangerous action scenes) and body double (for physical replacement).
2. a form of tennis, badminton, or similar racket sport in which two players team u
a form of tennis, badminton, or similar racket sport in which two players team up on each side of the net.
Emre and his sister play doubles together every Saturday at the local tennis club.
play doubles — common verb + noun combination
The doubles match lasted over two hours because both teams kept scoring evenly.
doubles match — a game with two per side
Camila prefers doubles to singles because she likes sharing the court with a partner.
The badminton club is looking for a new doubles partner for the regional tournament.
- singles
a match with one player on each side
文法句型
play doubles
doubles match
doubles partner
用法筆記
Always plural in form (doubles) but takes a singular verb when referring to the game format: Doubles is more fun than singles. The singular double is not used for this meaning.
常見錯誤
3. when a team claims victory in two important tournaments — most often the top lea
when a team claims victory in two important tournaments — most often the top league trophy plus a national cup — within one playing year.
The team won the double in 2023, taking both the league title and the national cup.
win the double — fixed phrase
Only three clubs in the country's history have ever achieved the league and cup double.
league and cup double — common elaboration
Fans celebrated the double with a parade through the city centre.
Samir hopes his favourite club can pull off a double this season.
文法句型
win the double
the league and cup double
用法筆記
Primarily used in British football (soccer). Other sports may use double differently. The specific competitions vary by country, but the core idea is two major trophies.
4. a baseball hit that sends the person batting safely to second base before the fi
a baseball hit that sends the person batting safely to second base before the fielding side can stop them.
Tariq hit a double in the third inning, sending the runner on first home.
hit a double — standard verb + noun phrase
The batter's double drove in two runs and brought the crowd to its feet.
With a double to deep centre field, the player reached second base before the throw arrived.
The coach taught the young players how to turn a single into a double by watching the fielder.
- two-base hit
more formal baseball terminology
- single
a hit that allows reaching only first base
文法句型
hit a double
a double to left field
用法筆記
This is a baseball term and not used in other sports. The scoring progression is single → double → triple → home run. Usually followed by the preposition to (direction) or off (pitcher).
5. an amount, size, or quantity that is two times greater than the usual or expecte
an amount, size, or quantity that is two times greater than the usual or expected one — for example, a drink with twice the standard measure, or a payment of twice the normal rate.
The bartender poured a double of whisky for the tired traveller.
a double of [alcohol] — twice the standard spirit measure
Rachel was paid double for working on the national holiday.
paid double — twice the usual pay
The recipe calls for a double of the sauce when cooking for a large group.
Lan managed to save double what he had planned by the end of the year.
- twice as much
phrase used instead of the noun when clarity is needed
- two times
more conversational; less precise for formal contexts
- half
one of two equal parts of something
文法句型
double the + noun
a double of + liquid
用法筆記
When referring to alcoholic drinks, a double is twice a single measure (commonly 25 ml → 50 ml in the UK, or 1.5 oz → 3 oz in the US). For other contexts, double can refer to any quantity.
double — verb
- doublepresent simple I / you / we / they
- doubles3rd person singular
- doubling-ing form
- doubledpast simple
1. to become two times as large in size, amount, or number, or to cause something t
to become two times as large in size, amount, or number, or to cause something to reach twice its previous level.
The company doubled its profits in just two years by expanding into new markets.
transitive: double + noun (profits/sales/value)
The population of the town has doubled since the new factory opened.
intransitive: population/price/value doubles
Nellie doubled the recipe so there would be enough cake for all the guests.
House prices in the area doubled over the past decade, pushing many families out.
Zuri doubled her daily workout time after she signed up for the marathon.
- multiply by two
mathematical and less natural in everyday speech
- increase twofold
formal register, used in writing
- halve
to reduce by fifty percent, the opposite operation
文法句型
double + noun
double in + noun
double + by/over + time period
用法筆記
Can be transitive (She doubled the amount) or intransitive (The amount doubled). A common pattern is double + in + measure: doubled in size/value/price. Do not say double more — double already means two times.
常見錯誤
2. to serve an extra purpose or function beyond the main one; to be used in a secon
to serve an extra purpose or function beyond the main one; to be used in a second role while still fulfilling the first.
The spare bedroom doubles as a home office when Gabriel needs to work late.
double as — most common pattern for a second function
The same actor doubled for the lead performer during the fight scene.
double for — replacing someone in a role
The kitchen table doubles as a desk for the children to do their homework.
In the small theatre company, Sirin doubled as stage manager and lighting technician.
- serve as
more general; does not imply a primary vs. secondary function
- function as
slightly more formal
文法句型
double as + noun
double for + noun
double in + role
用法筆記
Always used with as, for, or in to introduce the second role. The subject is most often an object or a place, not a person directly (except in theatre contexts).
double — adverb
1. so that something lies in two thicknesses or folds, as when paper, cloth, or a b
so that something lies in two thicknesses or folds, as when paper, cloth, or a blanket is folded back onto itself.
Dahlia folded the letter double so that it would fit into the small envelope.
folded double — common verb + adverb pair
The old man was bent double from years of working in the fields.
bent double — fixed phrase for severely hunched posture
Emre wrapped the scarf double around his neck to stay warm in the blizzard.
The blanket was folded double and placed at the foot of the bed.
文法句型
folded double
wrapped double
bent double
用法筆記
This sense appears mostly in fixed verb phrases: bent double, folded double, wrapped double. In modern speech, a similar meaning is often expressed with in half or in two.
2. in a state where the eyes perceive two images of a single object, so that everyt
in a state where the eyes perceive two images of a single object, so that everything appears twice — typically caused by tiredness, illness, or drinking too much alcohol.
After three days without sleep, the driver began to see double and had to pull over.
see double — the standard phrase for this condition
Léa was seeing double after the bump on her head and went to the clinic.
The doctor explained that seeing double can be a sign of a more serious eye problem.
Too many drinks left him seeing double, and he could barely walk straight.
- have double vision
the medical or more formal expression
文法句型
see double
be seeing double
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in the expression see double or be seeing double. The medical term is diplopia. In informal contexts, it is most commonly associated with drunkenness.
3. to a degree or extent that is two times greater — used to intensify a comparativ
to a degree or extent that is two times greater — used to intensify a comparative adjective or adverb, meaning much more so.
The new flat is double the size of their old one, and the rent is only slightly higher.
double the + comparative noun (size/price/length)
Gabriel worked double as hard in the second semester to improve his grades.
double as + adverb — intensifying the comparison
The hand-knitted scarf was double as warm as any store-bought one.
Rachel felt double as confident after the training course ended.
- twice as
more common in American English; interchangeable with double as
- half as
the opposite degree of comparison
文法句型
double + comparative adjective/adverb
用法筆記
This sense is distinct from the adjective TWICE AS MUCH: double here modifies an adjective or adverb (double as fast, double as big). In American English, twice is more common than double in this pattern. British English accepts both.