Clone — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈklōn/

Meaning & Definition of Clone

Clone (noun)

  1. the aggregate of genetically identical cells or organisms asexually produced by or from a single progenitor cell or organism
  2. an individual grown from a single somatic cell or cell nucleus and genetically identical to it
  3. a group of replicas of all or part of a macromolecule and especially DNA

Clone (verb)

  1. to propagate a clone from
  2. to make a copy of
  3. to produce a clone

Clone (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that is made to look exactly like something else

    "the car is a clone under a different brand name—it's even manufactured in the same plant as its cousin"

    similar: carbon, carbon copy, copy, dummy, dupe, duplicate, duplication, facsimile, imitation, mock, reduplication, replica, replication, reproduction
    related: counterfeit, fake, forgery, knockoff, phony, rip-off, rubber stamp, sham, miniature, mock-up, simulation, reconstruction, re-creation, image, likeness, semblance, shadow, impression, imprint, print, approximation, reincarnation, version, extra, reserve, spare
    opposite: archetype, original, prototype

  2. something or someone that strongly resembles another

    "the new television series is a clone of half a dozen police procedurals already on the air"

    similar: alter ego, carbon, carbon copy, counterpart, doppelgänger, double, duplicate, duplication, facsimile, fetch, image, likeness, look-alike, match, mirror image, picture, replica, ringer, spit, spitting image, twin
    related: effigy, portrait, portrayal, companion, fellow, mate, equal, equivalent, analogue, parallel
    near: antithesis, converse, opposite, reverse

Clone (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make an exact likeness of

    "will clone the designer outfit for the ready-to-wear market"

    similar: copy, copycat, duplicate, imitate, reduplicate, render, replicate, reproduce
    related: counterfeit, fake, forge, knock off, rip off, mimic, simulate, reconstruct, re-create
    opposite: originate
    near: create, imagine, initiate, invent

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Clone

The most common words with a similar meaning to Clone:

carbon, carbon copy, copy, dummy, dupe, duplicate, duplication, facsimile, imitation, mock, reduplication, replica, replication, reproduction, alter ego, counterpart, doppelgänger, double, fetch, image, likeness, look-alike, match, mirror image, picture, ringer, spit, spitting image, twin, copycat, imitate, reduplicate, render, replicate, reproduce

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Clone

Words with the opposite meaning of Clone:

archetype, original, prototype, originate

Related Words for Clone

counterfeit, fake, forgery, knockoff, phony, rip-off, rubber stamp, sham, miniature, mock-up, simulation, reconstruction, re-creation, semblance, shadow, impression, imprint, print, approximation, reincarnation, version, extra, reserve, spare, effigy, portrait, portrayal, companion, fellow, mate

Near Antonyms of Clone

antithesis, converse, opposite, reverse, create, imagine, initiate, invent

Word Forms of Clone

Inflections: cloned, cloning

Derived words: clonal (adjective), clonally (adverb), cloner (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Clone

borrowed from Greek klṓn, klōnós "branch, sprig," perhaps contraction of *klaṓn, from kla-, stem of kláō, klân "to break off, break in two or in pieces" + -ōn, noun suffix clastic

First known use: 1903

Frequently Asked Questions about Clone

What does "Clone" mean?

"Clone" means the aggregate of genetically identical cells or organisms asexually produced by or from a single progenitor cell or organism. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the aggregate of genetically identical cells or organisms asexually produced by or from a single progenitor cell or organism. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Clone"?

Other words for "Clone" include carbon, carbon copy, copy, dummy, dupe, duplicate, duplication and facsimile. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Clone" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Clone"?

There are 76 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Clone". Common alternatives include carbon, carbon copy, copy, dummy, dupe, duplicate, duplication, facsimile, imitation and mock.

What is the opposite of "Clone"?

Antonyms of "Clone" include archetype, original, prototype and originate. Near antonyms include antithesis, converse, opposite and reverse.

How do you use "Clone" in a sentence?

Examples of "Clone" in a sentence: "the car is a clone under a different brand name—it's even manufactured in the same plant as its cousin"; "the new television series is a clone of half a dozen police procedurals already on the air"; "will clone the designer outfit for the ready-to-wear market".

Is "Clone" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Clone" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Clone"?

"Clone" is pronounced /ˈklōn/.

What is the origin of the word "Clone"?

"Clone" comes from borrowed from Greek klṓn, klōnós "branch, sprig," perhaps contraction of *klaṓn, from kla-, stem of kláō, klân "to break off, break in two or in pieces" + -ōn, noun suffix clastic. First known use: 1903.