dual

1 of 2

adjective

du·​al ˈdü(-ə)l How to pronounce dual (audio)
 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

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
Spanning two decks, the owner’s suite comprises a spacious stateroom with a skylight and fireplace, dual bathrooms, two dressing rooms, and a private Jacuzzi with a sunbathing area. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer who has built a cultish following online, has dual British and American citizenship. Amar Nadhir, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Family calls on Biden administration to get dual American hostages out of Gaza For months, Ruby Chen had urged the Biden administration to get the remaining dual American hostages out of Gaza. Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 One result from the dual 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes was that the 12th and final season of the HBO improv comedy still had a few scenes to shoot when production resumed. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 At 22, Eilish has now become the youngest two-time winner in Oscar history; at 26, O’Connell is believed to be the second youngest dual winner. Jon Burlingame, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 The dual victories against figures viewed as villains by her fellow Democrats has, in some quarters, made Ms. James a hero, complete with the kind of résumé-burnishing accomplishments that can presage an ascent to the governor’s mansion or national office. Jesse McKinley, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Horne contended that while school districts can offer dual language programs, they are forbidden from allowing English learners to participate under Proposition 203. Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024 The primary suite opens to a walk-in closet, dual sink, soaking tub and walk-in shower. Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
Team of the Week South Carroll wrestling The Cavaliers steamrolled through Class 1A winning their third straight state duals championship this week. Anthony Maluso, Baltimore Sun, 12 Feb. 2024 After taking back the reins of the state duals tournament in 2022, the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association will again host the boys and girls tournaments with the 2024 editions taking place in February. Alex Harrison, The Enquirer, 26 Jan. 2024 In the season’s opening dual, Atholton defeated Marriotts Ridge, 40-30, and the Mustangs were looking for revenge. Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2024 Jeff Gessner, Patterson Mill, wrestling: Gessner went 8-0 for the Huskies this weekend at Havre de Grace’s Tomahawks duals. Anthony Maluso, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2024 The quilted pattern isn’t just a classic look, it’s also meant to prevent rips from spreading, and this jacket has a great system of pockets, including a zippered chest pocket that duals as a packable sack. Joel Balsam, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2023 He was forced to defend the pacey Bukayo Saka all by himself, and Saka won a few duals including one that ended with Jesus dinking the ball high off the post and in for a classy opening goal in the fifth minute. Cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 20 July 2023 But a month ago the 21-year-old cast his lot with the Americans, becoming the most important dual in more than a decade to do so. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2023 In Chapter 4 — with a cast including Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Bill Skarsgard and Donnie Yen — Wick uncovers a path to defeating the High Table, a journey that sets in motion the events of the film and its climatic dual at Paris’ Sacré Coeur. Carolyn Giardina, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dual was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near dual

Cite this Entry

“Dual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dual. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on dual

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