replica

noun

rep·​li·​ca ˈre-pli-kə 

1

: an exact reproduction (as of a painting) executed by the original artist

a replica of this was painted … this year

—Constance Strachey

2

: a copy exact in all details

DNA makes a replica of itself

sailed a replica of the Viking ship

broadly : copy

this faithful, pathetic replica of a Midwestern suburb

—G. F. Kennan

Synonyms

• alter ego
• carbon
• carbon copy
• clone
• counterpart
• doppelgänger
• doppelganger
• double
• duplicate
• duplication
• facsimile
• fetch
• image
• likeness
• look-alike
• match
• mirror image
• picture
• ringer
• spit
• spitting image
• twin

Choose the Right Synonym for replica

reproduction, duplicate, copy, facsimile, replica mean a thing made to closely resemble another.

reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details

a replica of the Mayflower

but not always in the same scale.

miniature replicas of classic cars

Examples of replica in a Sentence

We toured a replica of the ship.

It's an authentic replica of an ancient Greek urn.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the Blue Room, visitors are invited to touch a replica of the French Bellangé antique furniture trim and upholstery, as well as replicas of marble busts, per CNN’s Betsy Klein. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Nov. 2024

The Double Trouble Buck The Double Trouble Buck replica isn’t from a buck that was harvested or even found dead. —Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024

The film’s two pirate ships, the Morning Star and the Reaper, had 20 working cannons on each side – full-sized replicas of 17th century craft which cost $1 million each. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024

Its 175-car collection was eventually auctioned off in a 2012 RM Sotheby’s sale that included the 500 K Special Roadster replica. —Howard Walker, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, "repetition, reply, copy of a work of art," noun derivative of replicare "to repeat, reply," borrowed from Latin replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply") — more at replicate entry 1

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

replica

noun

rep·​li·​ca ˈrep-li-kə 

1

: a close reproduction especially by the maker of the original

2

: a copy exact in all details : duplicate