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.

Comment ()