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Definition of doppelganger

doppelganger

/ˈdɑːpəlˌɡæŋɚ/
dop · pel · gang · er
Plural:doppelgangers
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doppelganger Lexical Profile

doppelganger Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A non-biologically related person who looks strikingly similar to another living person; a look-alike or double.

Example

"While traveling in Berlin, she was startled to encounter a complete stranger who looked like her exact doppelganger."

2

In folklore and fiction, an apparition or paranormal double of a living person, traditionally regarded as an omen of bad luck or imminent death.

Example

"In many nineteenth-century Gothic tales, the protagonist is haunted by a sinister doppelganger that mirrors their hidden desires."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for doppelganger

• Nearby Words

dopily
dopiness
doping
doppelganger
dorado
dordogne
doris

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from the German compound 'Doppelgänger', literally meaning 'double-walker', coined by the Romantic novelist Jean Paul in 1796 from 'doppel' (double) and 'Gänger' (goer or walker).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Doppelganger. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/doppelganger
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