What does "doppelganger" mean?
A ghostly double of a living person, especially one that haunts such a person.
Doppelganger
/ˈdɑp(ə)lˌɡɛŋəɹ/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A ghostly double of a living person, especially one that haunts such a person.
- Grammar: doppelganger is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: actual thing, alter ego, carbon copy, clone.
- Useful contrasts: one-of-a-kind, original, original self.
- Usage evidence: Some people base reality in their local sphere. Maybe, most people do not travel enough, I mention to Bratislav. A bit aghast becomes Bratislav, of Croatian ancestry. I tell him about the Daoist notion that one's own garden or local neighbourhood may be a microcosm that reflects macrocosmic reality. All the learning from all the travelling one can do may lie right here locally. A snail on the sidewalk may have a "doppelganger" (Bratislav's conceptual word) in the macrocosm.
How to use "doppelganger"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "doppelganger" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "doppelganger" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "doppelganger" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "doppelganger" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "doppelganger" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "actual thing" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "doppelganger", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A ghostly double of a living person, especially one that haunts such a person.
""An orderly let out the news that you are here," she said. "But don't worry. We've sent out a doppelganger to fool the Sons, and the orderly has been sentenced to slavery under the pyramid builder for twenty lifetimes. I hate my brother! How dare he fight us with the sky falling?""
- 2 a ghostly double of a living person that haunts its living counterpart wordnet
- 3 An evil twin.
- 4 A remarkably similar double.
"Stars in Their Eyes ran for 16 years from 1990, and had the "wow" factor moment of transforming a pub singer into their idol, as the contestant said the famous words: "Tonight Matthew, I'm going to be…" and then stepped out from a puff of dry ice as their musical doppelganger."
- 5 A monster that takes the forms of people, usually after killing them.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Some people base reality in their local sphere. Maybe, most people do not travel enough, I mention to Bratislav. A bit aghast becomes Bratislav, of Croatian ancestry. I tell him about the Daoist notion that one's own garden or local neighbourhood may be a microcosm that reflects macrocosmic reality. All the learning from all the travelling one can do may lie right here locally. A snail on the sidewalk may have a "doppelganger" (Bratislav's conceptual word) in the macrocosm."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "doppelganger"?
Common synonyms include: actual thing, alter ego, carbon copy, clone, co-walker, copy.
How do you use "doppelganger" in a sentence?
Some people base reality in their local sphere. Maybe, most people do not travel enough, I mention to Bratislav. A bit aghast becomes Bratislav, of Croatian ancestry. I tell him about the Daoist notion that one's own garden or local neighbourhood may be a microcosm that reflects macrocosmic reality. All the learning from all the travelling one can do may lie right here locally. A snail on the sidewalk may have a "doppelganger" (Bratislav's conceptual word) in the macrocosm.
How do you pronounce "doppelganger"?
Pronounced /ˈdɑp(ə)lˌɡɛŋəɹ/.
Etymology
Borrowed from German Doppelgänger (“ghostly spirit”, literally “double-walker”).