Duplicative is an adjective describing something that duplicates or imitates another thing, or that produces a duplicate. It often refers to actions, processes, or effects that are redundant or repetitive, resulting in repetition or overlap. In usage, it signals redundancy or replication, sometimes with a critical or analytical tone.
- US: clear rhotics; keep /ɹ/-like vowel quality in related words; emphasize the /pl/ cluster with a firm /l/ release. - UK: slightly shorter vowel durations in unstressed syllables; keep /ɪ/ lax. - AU: more flattened vowels; keep the final /ɪv/ light and crisp. IPA references: /duˈplɪkətɪv/ in all. - General tip: practice with a mirror to monitor lip rounding and jaw tension.
"The duplicative data entries in the database caused confusion during analysis."
"The report criticized the duplicative steps in the workflow that wasted time and resources."
"Her argument was duplicative, restating points that had already been made."
"The system flagged duplicative content to prevent plagiarism and maintain quality."
Duplicative comes from the Latin duplicare, meaning to double, paired with the neuter suffix -ive forming adjectives in English. duplicare itself derives from duo (two) and duplicare (to double). The English term first appeared in the late 19th to early 20th century as scientific and analytical language expanded, especially in fields like logic, data management, and linguistics, where the notion of duplication or copying was central. The suffix -ive, common in adjectives, indicates a tendency or characteristic, so duplicative characterizes something that tends to duplicate or that functions in a duplicative manner. Over time, the nuance broadened to cover things that are redundant or unnecessarily repetitive, not just literal doubling. In contemporary use, duplicative often carries a critical tone when highlighting inefficiency, but it can also be neutral when simply describing a process that yields duplicates.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Duplicative" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Duplicative" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Duplicative"
-ive sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronunciation: du-PLIK-ə-tiv. IPA: US / duˈplɪkətɪv, UK / duˈplɪkətɪv, AU / duˈplɪkətɪv. Focus on the secondary syllable with primary stress on the second syllable: /ˌduːˈpliːkəˌtɪv/ is a helpful reference for some learners. Break it as du-PLI-ca-tive, with lips rounded for /u/ then a crisp /pl/ onset, and a light, unstressed final -tive.
Common mistakes include: 1) stressing the wrong syllable: say du-P L I- ca- tive rather than du-PLI-ca-tive. 2) mispronouncing /ɪ/ as /iː/ in the final -tive; keep a short, lax vowel in the middle. 3) softening the /t/ in -tive to a d or flap; maintain a clear /t/ or a very light flap depending on accent. Practice by isolating the /pl/ cluster and keeping the /ɪ/ short.
US: primary stress on the second syllable with a clear /ɪ/ in the middle; non-rhotic elements are less prominent in careful speech. UK: similar secondary stress, but vowel qualities may lean toward /ɪ/ as a lax short vowel; final -tive may be reduced slightly in rapid speech. AU: often flatter vowels and more closed /ɪ/; you may hear a lighter /t/ and slightly broader vowel sequences. All share /duˈplɪkətɪv/.
Difficulties arise from the consonant cluster /pl/ after the initial /du/ and the mid syllable /-kə-/ where the vowel is lax. The sequence /plɪk/ requires precise tongue position to avoid inserting an extra vowel or turning /k/ into a /t/ sound. The final /-ətɪv/ can be tricky with a light schwa and a clipped or reduced -tive; control of voicing and aspiration matters, especially in fast speech.
A useful feature is the middle syllable /-plɪk-/, where the /pl/ onset follows /du/; ensure the /p/ and /l/ are distinct, not merged. The -tive ending is often reduced; practice keeping a faint /t/ before /ɪv/ to avoid pronouncing -tive as -tiv or -sev. In some speakers, the first syllable may languish into a lighter /du/ before the main stress; keep the leading /du/ crisp with minimal vowel reduction.
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