xerox

xerox — noun

IPA/ˈzɪə.rɒks/
KK[zˈɪrɑks]IPA/ˈzɪr.ɑːks/
  • xeroxsingular
  • xeroxesplural

1. a page that has been duplicated by an office machine which makes exact reproduct

1.nounB1
Definition

a page that has been duplicated by an office machine which makes exact reproductions of printed text or images; the word also refers to the machine that makes such copies or to the method of reproducing pages this way

Example

Brooke made a xerox of the contract before sending it by post.

a xerox of [document]

The old xerox in the corner office kept jamming every morning.

xerox as machine (copier)

Common collocations
  • xerox of [document]
  • run a xerox
  • make a xerox
  • xerox machine
Synonyms
  • photocopy

    the neutral, non-branded term; preferred in formal contexts

  • copy

    broader meaning — can refer to a duplicate made by any method, not only a photocopier

Antonyms
  • original

    the source document from which the xerox is made

Grammar Patterns

a/the xerox of [noun]

a xerox machine

Usage Note

Xerox was originally a brand name but is now commonly used as a general term for any photocopy or photocopier, though some companies prefer the terms 'photocopy' or 'copy' in formal writing.

Common Mistakes

Could you xerox this for me?' (using verb form as noun).
Could you run a xerox of this for me?
'make a xerox' or 'run a xerox' are common noun patterns for requesting copies.

xerox — verb

IPA/ˈzɪərɒks/
KK[zˈɪrɑks]IPA/ˈzɪrɑːks/

Word family

  • xerography
    nounC1
  • xerographic
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Both 'xerox' and 'photocopy' refer specifically to making a paper copy using a machine that reproduces documents by a photographic or laser process. 'Xerox' is a brand name that has become generic in everyday speech, while 'photocopy' is the neutral, non-branded term preferred in formal writing. 'Copy' is much broader: you can copy text by hand, type it again, or scan and print it. 'Duplicate' is more formal and can refer to making an exact replica by any method, digital or physical. 'Scan' is different because it creates a digital image file rather than a paper copy. For example: 'Wei xeroxed the form' (paper copy from a machine), 'Wei scanned the form' (digital file on a computer), 'Wei copied the address into his notebook' (handwritten).

photocopy ↗copy ↗duplicate ↗scan ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • xerox machine
  • xerox paper
  • xerox copy
  • xerox shop
  • xerox centre

Adverbs

  • quickly xerox
  • carefully xerox
  • illegally xerox

Phrases

  • run a xerox
  • make a xerox
  • xerox something for someone

Prepositions

  • xerox for
  • xerox from

Etymology

GreekEnglishBrand name

The word comes from the company name Xerox Corporation, which invented the first plain-paper photocopier in 1959. The company name itself was built from 'xerography', a term coined from Greek roots 'xēros' (dry) and 'graphē' (writing), because the process uses dry toner powder rather than liquid ink. Over time the brand name became a generic verb and noun for any photocopying.