noun
Uncommon
duplex
DOO-plehks
Duplex (noun) means a house divided into two separate living units, or a single home with two floors. Example: “They rented one half of a duplex near the university.”
noun
1
A house divided into two separate living units, or a single home with two floors.
"They rented one half of a duplex near the university."
"The new duplex has a bedroom upstairs and living space downstairs."
adj
1
Made up of two matching parts, or working in two directions at once.
"The intercom uses duplex communication so both sides can talk simultaneously."
How to use duplex
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething built or working in two matched parts — most commonly a two-family house.
Common pairings
duplex apartment
duplex house
full duplex
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Word forms
- Plural
- duplexes, duplices
- Third person singular
- duplexes
- Past tense
- duplexed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They rented one half of a _____ near the university.
Etymology
From Latin duplex, "twofold," from duo ("two") plus plicare ("to fold").
Synonyms
View more →
duplex house
duplex apartment
semidetached house
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “duplex” mean?
The word “duplex” means a house divided into two separate living units, or a single home with two floors. In plain terms, something built or working in two matched parts — most commonly a two-family house.
How do you pronounce “duplex”?
“Duplex” is pronounced DOO-plehks (/ˈdu.plɛks/ in IPA).
How do you use “duplex” in a sentence?
Here is “duplex” used in a sentence: “They rented one half of a duplex near the university.”
What part of speech is “duplex”?
Depending on how it is used, “duplex” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “duplex” come from?
The word “duplex” comes from Latin. From Latin duplex, "twofold," from duo ("two") plus plicare ("to fold").
Is “duplex” a common word?
“Duplex” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “duplex” have?
“Duplex” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a house divided into two separate living units, or a single home with two floors.
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