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

That’s also frankly not as bad as expected coming off of 2023’s dual strikes and resultant gaps in the release calendar. —Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025

Fire took their jobs Jan. 14, 2025 Steele, 75, is heartbroken over the dual loss of his place of solace and his beekeeping business. —Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025

Noun

Century wrestling took the final two bouts of Tuesday's dual at Glenelg, including Grady Faye's pin in the final bout, to earn a two-point win. —Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 18 Dec. 2024

Maryland wrestling’s dual against American on Saturday has been moved to South Carroll High School. —Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 11 Nov. 2024

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

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