First Known Use: circa 1639
Dictionary
1ditto
noun dit·to \ˈdi-(ˌ)tō\
: a pair of marks " used underneath a word to save space and show that the word is repeated where the marks are
plural dittos
Full Definition of DITTO
1
: a thing mentioned previously or above —used to avoid repeating a word —often symbolized by inverted commas or apostrophes
2
: a ditto mark
See ditto defined for English-language learners
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Examples of DITTO
- Until recently most of us believed that such regimens, which usually require a personal trainer, were available only to women whose bodies are their fortune (think Madonna), or who have nothing better to do with their time (ditto). —Jennifer Newman,Elle, June 1993
- Flexner is especially good at showing how misguided attempts to repair furniture can cause more problems than they solve. Using a nail instead of glue to tighten a loose leg on an old chair (as I myself have done) will often destroy the chair, by splitting the wood and ruining the joint (ditto). —David Owen, Atlantic, September 1989
- David is not exactly a crank who writes to writers, although he is probably a bit of that too. I don't know how he gets his living, or whether his letters romanticize either his proverty (he reports only a hunger for books) or his passion (ditto); still, David is a free intellect, a free imagination. —Cynthia Ozick, New York Times Book Review, 25 Mar. 1984
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Origin of DITTO
Italian ditto, detto, past participle of dire to say, from Latin dicere — more at diction
Other Printing Terms
2ditto
adjective dit·to \ˈdi-(ˌ)tō\
Definition of DITTO
: having the same characteristics : similar
Origin of DITTO
(see 1ditto)
First Known Use: 1776
Related to DITTO
- Synonyms
- akin, analogous, cognate, comparable, connate, correspondent, corresponding, alike, like, matching, parallel, resemblant, resembling, similar, such, suchlike
- Antonyms
- different, dissimilar, diverse, unakin, unlike
3ditto
adverb dit·to \ˈdi-(ˌ)tō\
—used to say that whatever you have said about one person or thing is also true of another person or thing
—used in speech to show you agree with what someone has just said or have the same opinion
Full Definition of DITTO
: as before or aforesaid : in the same manner
See ditto defined for English-language learners
Examples of DITTO
- I worry that I don't have whatever synapses you need to anticipate fun. Although I often enjoy parties, I don't look forward to them. Ditto travel, romantic dinners, even shopping. —O, The Oprah Magazine, January 2007
- Work your way up through the faculty ranks, they said. Don't get pigeonholed by focusing on affirmative action or African-American studies. Ditto for women's issues. Good advice, maybe, but Simmons, 56, the new president of Brown University, never paid much attention to it. —Barbara Kantrowitz, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2001/7 Jan. 2002
- She sinks to her knees and seizes a package, eagerly looking at the tag. It will be from her, or to her, and she will recognize her own name. But the card is blank. Ditto the next package; ditto the third. They are all blank. —Mary Tannen, New York Times Magazine, 20 Dec. 1998
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Origin of DITTO
(see 1ditto)
First Known Use: 1706
Related to DITTO
- Antonyms
- differently, dissimilarly, otherwise
4ditto
verb dit·to \ˈdi-(ˌ)tō\
Definition of DITTO
transitive verb
1
: to repeat the action or statement of
2
[from Ditto, a trademark] : to copy (as printed matter) on a duplicator
Examples of DITTO
- My favorite was “Sports Collector's News” (the exact pluralization and positioning of the apostrophe I can't quite remember), a dittoed journal produced in some Wisconsin backwater by a man with a Ukrainian surname. —Alexander Wolff, Sports Illustrated, 15 Sept. 1986
Origin of DITTO
(see 1ditto)
First Known Use: 1725
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