dual

[doo-uhl, dyoo-]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or noting two.

2. composed or consisting of two people, items, parts, etc., together; twofold; double.

   dual ownership;

   dual controls on a plane.

3. having a twofold, or double, character or nature.

4. Grammar.,  being or pertaining to a member of the category of number, as in Old English, Old Russian, or Arabic, that denotes two of the things in question.

noun

Grammar.

1. the dual number.

2. a form in the dual, as Old English git “you two,” as contrasted with ge “you” referring to three or more.

dual

/ ˈdjuːəl /

adjective

1. relating to or denoting two

2. twofold; double

3. (in the grammar of Old English, Ancient Greek, and certain other languages) denoting a form of a word indicating that exactly two referents are being referred to

4. maths logic (of structures or expressions) having the property that the interchange of certain pairs of terms, and usually the distribution of negation, yields equivalent structures or expressions

noun

1. grammar

   1. the dual number

   2. a dual form of a word

verb

1. (tr) to make (a road) into a dual carriageway

Other Word Forms

• dually adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dual¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin duālis “containing two, relating to a pair,” equivalent to du(o) two + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dual¹

C17: from Latin duālis concerning two, from duo two

Example Sentences

Going into the summer, many in the industry felt that the major effects of the pandemic and the dual writers’ and actors’ strikes of 2023 had finally evaporated from theatrical lineups.

From Los Angeles Times

Where China has an undeniable edge is the dual use of shipyards.

From BBC

Its dual statutory goals are to maximize nationwide employment and protect the value of the U.S. dollar.

From Salon

Making the correct read comes naturally for someone who was a dual sport star in high school, having also established himself as one of the nation’s top volleyball players.

From Los Angeles Times

This dual role is presented as evidence of her partisan approach to what should be an apolitical position.

From Los Angeles Times