noun
hard copy
HARD KOP-ee
Hard copy (noun) means a printed version of a document or image on paper, as opposed to a file held on a computer. Example: “Bring a hard copy of your passport to the appointment.”
noun
1
A printed version of a document or image on paper, as opposed to a file held on a computer.
"Bring a hard copy of your passport to the appointment."
"I still keep hard copies of every signed contract."
How to use hard copy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA printed paper version of something.
When to use it
Neutral; standard in offices and official correspondence.
Memory tip
Soft copy is used far more in South Asian and African English than in Britain or the United States, where people just say the file.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
print a hard copy
hard copy of the report
keep a hard copy on file
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Bring a _____ of your passport to the appointment.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
soft copy
digital copy
electronic copy
Related words
Rhymes for hard copy
See all rhymes for hard copy →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hard copy and soft copy?
A hard copy exists on paper and can be held; a soft copy is the electronic file, such as a PDF or Word document. The soft copy can be edited and emailed, the hard copy cannot.
Is hard copy one word or two?
Two words as a noun: please print a hard copy. It is often hyphenated when used before another noun, as in hard-copy submission.
Do people still ask for hard copies?
Yes. Courts, immigration offices, banks and many employers still require paper originals or signed printouts, so the term remains in daily administrative use.
What is the meaning of hard copy?
"hard copy" (noun) means a printed version of a document or image on paper, as opposed to a file held on a computer.
