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 of dual

Adjective

• twin
• binary
• double

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

The milestone comes as oil prices have surged higher over the past week amid a dual blockade by the United States and Iran of the Strait of Hormuz, the key chokepoint in the region for transiting crude and petroleum-based products out of the Persian Gulf. —Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026

The Handling Speciale spec has been developed to bolster the Purosangue’s responsiveness, namely with suspension refinements and a fine-tuning of the eight-speed dual clutch transmission. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2026

Noun

Wrestling – All-conference, team duals state champion. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026

Iowa, which is 49-1 in duals in its three seasons, has three top seeds — Reese Laramendy (145), Kennedy Blades (160) and Kylie Welker (171). —John Bohnenkamp, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

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

• accrual
• nonfuel
• refuel
• renewal
• biofuel
• contextual
• nonrenewal
• nonsexual
• unusual
• cruel
• duel
• fuel

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