dual

1 of 2

adjective

du·​al ˈdü(-ə)l 

 also  ˈdyü-əl

1

of grammatical number : denoting reference to two

a dual pronoun

2

a

: consisting of two parts or elements or having two like parts : double

families with dual incomes

held dual citizenship in France and the U.S.

a dual function

a dual exhaust system

b

: having a double character or nature

dual

2 of 2

noun

1

linguistics : the dual (see dual entry 1 sense 1) number of a language

2

linguistics : a linguistic form in the dual

Synonyms

Adjective

• binary
• bipartite
• double
• double-barreled
• double-edged
• duplex
• twin
• twofold

Examples of dual in a Sentence

Adjective

the dual purpose of the study

She pursued dual careers in music and acting.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Elisabeth Ambrogio, the district’s director of bilingual and multicultural programs, said the two-way dual language class brings students whose first language is English and those speaking Spanish from birth together to learn in two languages with a goal of becoming fluent in both. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025

The dual pressures of addiction and burnout are exacting a steep toll on America’s entrepreneurs and executives. —Jaime Catmull, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

Noun

Ronchetti, a senior 190-pounder, came through with a technical fall in his last match for the Hilltoppers, who beat Hersey 46-22 in the Class 3A third-place dual at Grossinger Motors Arena. —Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025

But Drake is intent on testing himself, starting with the very first match of this CHSAA season on Dec. 2 in a dual against Mountain View. —Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Latin dualis, from duo two — more at two

First Known Use

Adjective

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dual

• dual carriageway
• dual citizenship
• dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
• dual meet
• dual-purpose

Rhymes for dual

• cruel
• duel
• fuel
• gruel
• jewel
• newel
• accrual
• nonfuel
• refuel
• renewal
• biofuel
• contextual

Kids Definition

dual

adjective

du·​al

ˈd(y)ü-əl

1

: consisting of two parts or elements : having two parts alike

dual headphone jacks

2

: having a double character or nature

a dual function

dual citizenship

duality

d(y)ü-ˈal-ət-ē

noun

dually

ˈd(y)ü-ə-lē

adverb

Etymology

Adjective

from Latin dualis "dual," from duo "two" — related to deuce, double, dozen