What is double? Pronunciation and usage in English

double means . Learn how to pronounce and use double through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of double

doubleadjective/verb

/ˈdʌbl/
Definition & pronunciation of double

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "double" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners!

Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "D": Pronounced like the "d" in "dog."
  • "ou": This is the tricky part. It's NOT like the "ou" in "out" or "house." It's closer to the "oo" in "food" or "mood." It's a diphthong – meaning two vowel sounds blended together.

2. Putting it Together:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is: "DOO-bul"

  • "DOO": Focus on that "oo" sound like in "food."
  • "bul": Pronounced like "bull" – a short, sharp “uh” sound followed by an "l".

3. Tips & Variations:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable – "DOO."
  • Regional Variations: You might hear slight variations depending on where you are in the English-speaking world:
    • American English: Often leans slightly more towards "DOO-bul."
    • British English: Sometimes, you'll hear it as "dob-ul." (Less common, but it happens).

4. Listen to Examples:

The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (This can help me know if you're more likely to hear a particular regional pronunciation.)

Usage and examples with the word double in English

Let's break down how to use the word "double" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings and ways to be used. Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. As a Verb (to increase by two):

  • Meaning: To increase something to twice its original amount or value.
  • Examples:
    • "The price of gas doubled last week." (It went up to twice the previous price.)
    • "He doubled his efforts to finish the project." (He increased his work significantly.)
    • "The number of visitors doubled after the advertisement." (It doubled in size.)
    • "Don't double your bet when you're losing!" (Don't increase the amount you're wagering.)

2. As an Adjective (twice as much, or two):

  • Meaning: Describing something that is twice the amount or quantity of something else.
  • Examples:
    • "I bought a double espresso." (Two shots of espresso)
    • "It's a double room." (A room that can accommodate two people.)
    • "She received a double dose of medication." (Twice the usual amount.)
    • “That was a double win for the team!” (They won twice, or achieved two victories.)

3. As a Noun (a pair, a duplicate):

  • Meaning: A pair of things that are identical or mirror each other. It can also refer to a duplicate.
  • Examples:
    • "They were sitting in double seats." (Two seats next to each other, for a couple.)
    • "He ordered a double pizza." (Two pizzas.)
    • "She showed him her double of the painting." (A copy of the painting.)
    • “He's a double agent.” (A spy working for two opposing sides.)

4. Figurative/Idiomatic Uses:

  • "Double down": To reinforce a previous action or statement, often when it's unpopular or risky. (e.g., “The company decided to double down on its marketing campaign.”)
  • "Double-check": To check twice to make sure something is correct. (e.g., "Double-check your calculations before submitting the report.")
  • "Double meaning": A statement or expression with two interpretations - often a humorous or suggestive one. (e.g., "That joke had a double meaning.")

Tips for Using "Double" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "double" depends entirely on how it's used in the sentence.
  • Pay attention to the surrounding words: Look for clues like "price," "amount," "room," "pizza," etc., to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Don't confuse the forms: Make sure you’re using "double" correctly as a verb, adjective, or noun.

Resources for more examples and practice:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of a specific usage?
  • Create a sentence using "double" in a particular way?

Synonyms for the word double

Idioms of the word double

do/pull/serve double duty (as something)
to perform two roles or functions at the same time
  • This device can pull double duty as a decent laptop and an adequate tablet.
  • She deserves credit for serving double duty as a host and performer.

Practice with vocabulary double

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company aims to ______ its revenue by year-end through aggressive market expansion.
  2. Before submitting the final report, please ______-check all figures for accuracy.
  3. The team must ______ its efforts to meet the tight deadline for the product launch.
  4. The new regulations will have a ______ impact on small businesses, requiring significant adjustments.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The market research suggests that demand for our new product could ______ in the next year, potentially reaching twice its current volume. A. escalate B. double C. expand D. surge
  2. Before sending the crucial email, she paused to ______ the recipient's address. A. check B. verify C. confirm D. double-check
  3. The new policy is designed to achieve a ______ objective: increasing productivity while simultaneously reducing operational costs. A. singular B. combined C. dual D. unified
  4. To improve our competitive edge, we must ______ our operational efficiency across all departments. A. optimize B. enhance C. elevate D. maximize
  5. Despite the unexpected challenges, the project manager managed to ______ the team's morale effectively. A. intensify B. bolster C. strengthen D. amplify

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The number of active users for our platform has grown by two times in the last quarter.
  2. Before publishing, make sure you verify everything again for any errors.
  3. The manager felt it was important to increase the team's commitment to the project, especially during this critical phase.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. double
  2. double
  3. intensify (or increase/amplify)
  4. significant (or profound/major)

Exercise 2:

  1. B. double (This is the most precise answer for "twice its current volume.")
  2. D. double-check (This implies checking again for verification.)
  3. C. dual (This best describes two distinct, simultaneous objectives.)
  4. A. optimize, B. enhance, C. elevate, D. maximize (All are plausible depending on nuance. "Optimize" suggests making it as effective as possible; others indicate general improvement.)
  5. B. bolster, C. strengthen (Both are excellent fits for supporting and improving morale.)

Exercise 3:

  1. The number of active users for our platform has doubled in the last quarter.
  2. Before publishing, make sure you double-check everything for any errors.
  3. The manager felt it was important to bolster the team's commitment to the project, especially during this critical phase. (Other possible answers: "strengthen the team's commitment," "enhance the team's commitment.")

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