Book vs. Copy — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 30, 2024
Books are original printed or digital publications containing literature or information, while copies refer to reproductions of any original document or text.
Difference Between Book and Copy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Books are typically original publications that may include novels, textbooks, or reference materials, crafted by authors and published by publishing houses. Copies, on the other hand, are duplicates or reproductions of original texts or documents, made through various means like photocopying or digital replication.
Books can be found in various formats, including hardcover, paperback, or digital e-books, catering to different reading preferences. Copies, whereas, are usually created in formats suitable for the distribution or use purpose, such as digital files or printed sheets.
A book often holds copyright status as it represents original content created by authors. Copies, however, may or may not carry the same copyright implications, depending on whether the content is legally reproduced or not.
While books are designed for public consumption and distribution, offering a wide range of topics from fiction to educational materials, copies are typically utilized for personal use, archival, or educational purposes, often requiring permission for legal reproduction.
The market for books is driven by sales, literary awards, and reader reviews, focusing on the quality of content and storytelling. In contrast, the utility of copies depends largely on the accessibility, convenience, and fidelity of reproduction compared to the original.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An original publication with authored content.
A reproduction of any original document or text.
Formats
Hardcover, paperback, e-books.
Digital files, printed sheets.
Copyright Status
Usually copyrighted.
May vary; depends on the content and reproduction rights.
Primary Use
Reading, education, entertainment.
Personal use, archival, educational purposes.
Market Influence Factors
Quality of content, authorship, reviews.
Accessibility, convenience of reproduction, fidelity to original.
Compare with Definitions
Book
A set of written or printed pages bound together inside a cover.
I bought a book on medieval history.
Copy
A single specimen of a publication or document duplicated from an original.
I need a copy of your passport for the records.
Book
A source of knowledge or entertainment that is published.
The library has thousands of books.
Copy
A reproduction made from an existing version of a document.
The office has a machine to make copies of documents.
Book
A work of fiction or nonfiction available in printed or electronic form.
She prefers reading books on her tablet.
Copy
To replicate data or files, particularly in computing.
Copy the files to the backup drive.
Book
A volume that can be studied, as in a field of knowledge.
He is well-read in the book of life's lessons.
Copy
Material suitable for reproduction or printing.
She submitted her article in copy for the magazine.
Book
A bound manuscript, often under the purview of copyright laws.
The author celebrated the release of her new book.
Copy
An imitation or replica of an original artwork or text.
The museum displays a copy of an ancient Greek statue.
Book
A book is a medium for recording information in the form of writing or images, typically composed of many pages (made of papyrus, parchment, vellum, or paper) bound together and protected by a cover. The technical term for this physical arrangement is codex (plural, codices).
Copy
A thing made to be similar or identical to another
The problem is telling which is the original document and which the copy
Book
A written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers
A book of selected poems
Copy
A single specimen of a particular book, record, or other publication or issue
The record has sold more than a million copies
Book
A bound set of blank sheets for writing in
An accounts book
Copy
Matter to be printed
Copy for the next issue must be submitted by the beginning of the month
Book
A set of tickets, stamps, matches, samples of cloth, etc., bound together
A pattern book
Copy
A blank booklet or notebook used for schoolwork
You need a stock of exercise copies, A4 refill pads, and maths copies
Examinees will not be allowed to take pens, copies, or water bottles inside the test centre
Book
Reserve (accommodation, a place, etc.); buy (a ticket) in advance
Book early to avoid disappointment
I have booked a table at the Swan
Copy
Make a similar or identical version of; reproduce
Each form had to be copied and sent to a different department
Book
Make an official note of the personal details of (a person who has broken a law or rule)
The cop booked me and took me down to the station
Copy
Imitate the style or behaviour of
Lifestyles that were copied from Miami and Fifth Avenue
Art students copied from approved old masters
Book
Leave suddenly
They just ate your pizza and drank your soda and booked
Copy
Hear or understand someone speaking on a radio transmitter
This is Edwards, do you copy, over
Book
A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers.
Copy
An imitation or reproduction of an original; a duplicate
A copy of a painting.
Made two copies of the letter.
Book
An e-book or other electronic resource structured like a book.
Copy
(Computers) A file that has the same data as another file
Stored on the server a copy of every document.
Book
A printed or written literary work
Did you ever finish writing that book?.
Copy
One example of a printed text, picture, film, or recording
An autographed copy of a novel.
Book
A main division of a larger printed or written work
A book of the Old Testament.
Copy
Material, such as a manuscript, that is to be set in type.
Book
A volume in which financial or business transactions are recorded.
Copy
The words to be printed or spoken in an advertisement.
Book
Books Financial or business records considered as a group
Checked the expenditures on the books.
Copy
Suitable source material for journalism
Celebrities make good copy.
Book
A libretto.
Copy
To make a reproduction or copy of
Copied the note letter for letter.
Copied the file to a disk.
Book
The script of a play.
Copy
To follow as a model or pattern; imitate.
Book
The Bible.
Copy
To include as an additional recipient of a written communication
Please copy me when you reply to her.
Book
The Koran.
Copy
To make a copy or copies.
Book
A set of prescribed standards or rules on which decisions are based
Runs the company by the book.
Copy
To admit of being copied
Colored ink that does not copy well.
Book
Something regarded as a source of knowledge or understanding.
Copy
To hear clearly or understand something said by radio communication
Mayday. Do you copy?.
Book
The total amount of experience, knowledge, understanding, and skill that can be used in solving a problem or performing a task
We used every trick in the book to finish the project on schedule.
Copy
The result of copying; an identical duplicate of an original.
Please bring me the copies of those reports.
Book
(Informal) Factual information, especially of a private nature
What's the book on him?.
Copy
An imitation, sometimes of inferior quality.
That handbag is a copy. You can tell because the buckle is different.
Book
A pack of like or similar items bound together
A book of matches.
Copy
(journalism) The text that is to be typeset.
Book
A record of bets placed on a race.
Copy
(journalism) A gender-neutral abbreviation for copy boy.
Book
(Games) The number of card tricks needed before any tricks can have scoring value, as the first six tricks taken by the declaring side in bridge.
Copy
The output of copywriters, who are employed to write material which encourages consumers to buy goods or services.
Book
To arrange for or purchase (tickets or lodgings, for example) in advance; reserve.
Copy
(uncountable) The text of newspaper articles.
Submit all copy to the appropriate editor.
Book
To arrange a reservation, as for a hotel room, for (someone)
Book me into the best hotel in town.
Copy
A school work pad.
Tim got in trouble for forgetting his maths copy.
Book
To hire or engage
Booked a band for Saturday night.
Copy
A printed edition of a book or magazine.
Have you seen the latest copy of "Newsweek" yet?
The library has several copies of the Bible.
Book
To list or register in a book
Booked the revenue from last month's sales.
Copy
Writing paper of a particular size, called also bastard.
Book
To list or record appointments or engagements in
A calendar that was booked solid on Tuesday.
Copy
(obsolete) That which is to be imitated, transcribed, or reproduced; a pattern, model, or example.
His virtues are an excellent copy for imitation.
Book
To record information about (a suspected offender) after arrest in preparation for arraignment, usually including a criminal history search, fingerprinting, and photographing.
Copy
(obsolete) An abundance or plenty of anything.
Book
(Sports) To record the flagrant fouls of (a player) for possible disciplinary action, as in soccer.
Copy
(obsolete) copyhold; tenure; lease
Book
To designate a time for; schedule
Let's book a meeting for next month.
Copy
(genetics) The result of gene or chromosomal duplication.
Book
To be hired for or engaged in
The actor has booked his next movie with that director.
Copy
(transitive) To produce an object identical to a given object.
Please copy these reports for me.
Book
To make a reservation
Book early if you want good seats.
Copy
(transitive) To give or transmit a copy to (a person).
Make sure you copy me on that important memo.
Book
(Informal) To move or travel rapidly
We booked along at a nice clip.
Copy
To place a copy of an object in memory for later use.
First copy the files, and then paste them in another directory.
Book
Of or relating to knowledge learned from books rather than actual experience
Has book smarts but not street smarts.
Copy
(transitive) To imitate.
Don't copy my dance moves.
Mom, he's copying me!
Book
Appearing in a company's financial records
Book profits.
Copy
(radio) To receive a transmission successfully.
Do you copy?
Book
A collection of sheets of paper bound together to hinge at one edge, containing printed or written material, pictures, etc.
She opened the book to page 37 and began to read aloud.
He was frustrated because he couldn't find anything about dinosaurs in the book.
Copy
An abundance or plenty of anything.
She was blessed with no more copy of wit, but to serve his humor thus.
Book
A long work fit for publication, typically prose, such as a novel or textbook, and typically published as such a bound collection of sheets, but now sometimes electronically as an e-book.
I have three copies of his first book.
Copy
An imitation, transcript, or reproduction of an original work; as, a copy of a letter, an engraving, a painting, or a statue.
I have not the vanity to think my copy equal to the original.
Book
A major division of a long work.
Genesis is the first book of the Bible.
Many readers find the first book of A Tale of Two Cities to be confusing.
Copy
An individual book, or a single set of books containing the works of an author; as, a copy of the Bible; a copy of the works of Addison.
Book
(gambling) A record of betting (from the use of a notebook to record what each person has bet).
I'm running a book on who is going to win the race.
Copy
That which is to be imitated, transcribed, or reproduced; a pattern, model, or example; as, his virtues are an excellent copy for imitation.
Let him first learn to write, after a copy, all the letters.
Book
(informal) A bookmaker (a person who takes bets on sporting events and similar); bookie; turf accountant.
Copy
Manuscript or printed matter to be set up in type; as, the printers are calling for more copy.
Book
A convenient collection, in a form resembling a book, of small paper items for individual use.
A book of stamps
A book of raffle tickets
Copy
A writing paper of a particular size. Same as Bastard. See under Paper.
Book
(theatre) The script of a musical or opera.
Copy
Copyhold; tenure; lease.
Book
Records of the accounts of a business.
Copy
To make a copy or copies of; to write; print, engrave, or paint after an original; to duplicate; to reproduce; to transcribe; as, to copy a manuscript, inscription, design, painting, etc.; - often with out, sometimes with off.
I like the work well; ere it be demanded(As like enough it will), I'd have it copied.
Let this be copied out,And keep it safe for our remembrance.
Book
A book award, a recognition for receiving the highest grade in a class (traditionally an actual book, but recently more likely a letter or certificate acknowledging the achievement).
Copy
To imitate; to attempt to resemble, as in manners or course of life.
We copy instinctively the voices of our companions, their accents, and their modes of pronunciation.
Book
(whist) Six tricks taken by one side.
Copy
To make a copy or copies; to imitate.
Book
(poker slang) Four of a kind.
Copy
To yield a duplicate or transcript; as, the letter did not copy well.
Some . . . never fail, when they copy, to follow the bad as well as the good things.
Book
(sports) A document, held by the referee, of the incidents happened in the game.
Copy
A reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
Book
A list of all players who have been booked (received a warning) in a game.
Copy
A secondary representation of an original;
She made a copy of the designer dress
Book
(cartomancy) The twenty-sixth Lenormand card.
Copy
Matter to be printed; exclusive of graphical materials
Book
(figurative) Any source of instruction.
Copy
Material suitable for a journalistic account;
Catastrophes make good copy
Book
(with "the") The accumulated body of knowledge passed down among black pimps.
Copy
Copy down as is;
The students were made to copy the alphabet over and over
Book
A portfolio of one's previous work in the industry.
Copy
Reproduce someone's behavior or looks;
The mime imitated the passers-by
Children often copy their parents or older siblings
Book
(transitive) To reserve (something) for future use.
I want to book a hotel room for tomorrow night.
I can book tickets for the concert next week.
Copy
Biology: reproduce or make an exact copy of;
Replicate the cell
Copy the genetic information
Book
(transitive) To write down, to register or record in a book or as in a book.
They booked that message from the hill
Copy
Make a replica of;
Copy that drawing
Re-create a picture by Rembrandt
Book
(transitive) To add a name to the list of people who are participating in something.
I booked a flight to New York.
Book
To record the name and other details of a suspected offender and the offence for later judicial action.
The police booked him for driving too fast.
Book
(sports) To issue a caution to, usually a yellow card, or a red card if a yellow card has already been issued.
Book
To travel very fast.
He was really booking, until he passed the speed trap.
Book
To record bets as bookmaker.
Book
To receive the highest grade in a class.
The top three students had a bet on which one was going to book their intellectual property class.
Book
To leave.
He was here earlier, but he booked.
Book
A collection of sheets of paper, or similar material, blank, written, or printed, bound together; commonly, many folded and bound sheets containing continuous printing or writing.
Book
A composition, written or printed; a treatise.
A good book is the precious life blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.
Book
A part or subdivision of a treatise or literary work; as, the tenth book of "Paradise Lost."
Book
A volume or collection of sheets in which accounts are kept; a register of debts and credits, receipts and expenditures, etc.; - often used in the plural; as, they got a subpoena to examine our books.
Book
Six tricks taken by one side, in the game of bridge or whist, being the minimum number of tricks that must be taken before any additional tricks are counted as part of the score for that hand; in certain other games, two or more corresponding cards, forming a set.
Book
A written version of a play or other dramatic composition; - used in preparing for a performance.
Book
A set of paper objects (tickets, stamps, matches, checks etc.) bound together by one edge, like a book; as, he bought a book of stamps.
Book
A book or list, actual or hypothetical, containing records of the best performances in some endeavor; a recordbook; - used in the phrase one for the book or one for the books.
Book
The set of facts about an athlete's performance, such as typical performance or playing habits or methods, that are accumulated by potential opponents as an aid in deciding how best to compete against that athlete; as, the book on Ted Williams suggests pitching to him low and outside.
Book
Same as book value.
Book
The list of current buy and sell orders maintained by a stock market specialist.
Book
The purchase orders still outstanding and unfilled on a company's ledger; as, book to bill ratio.
Book
To enter, write, or register in a book or list.
Let it be booked with the rest of this day's deeds.
Book
To enter the name of (any one) in a book for the purpose of securing a passage, conveyance, or seat; to reserve{2}; also, to make an arrangement for a reservation; as, to be booked for Southampton; to book a seat in a theater; to book a reservation at a restaurant.
Book
To mark out for; to destine or assign for; as, he is booked for the valedictory.
Here I am booked for three days more in Paris.
Book
To make an official record of a charge against (a suspect in a crime); - performed by police.
Book
A written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together);
I am reading a good book on economics
Book
Physical objects consisting of a number of pages bound together;
He used a large book as a doorstop
Book
A record in which commercial accounts are recorded;
They got a subpoena to examine our books
Book
A number of sheets (ticket or stamps etc.) bound together on one edge;
He bought a book of stamps
Book
A compilation of the known facts regarding something or someone;
Al Smith used to say, `Let's look at the record'
His name is in all the recordbooks
Book
A major division of a long written composition;
The book of Isaiah
Book
A written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance
Book
A collection of rules or prescribed standards on the basis of which decisions are made;
They run things by the book around here
Book
The sacred writings of Islam revealed by God to the prophet Muhammad during his life at Mecca and Medina
Book
The sacred writings of the Christian religions;
He went to carry the Word to the heathen
Book
Record a charge in a police register;
The policeman booked her when she tried to solicit a man
Book
Arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance;
Reserve me a seat on a flight
The agent booked tickets to the show for the whole family
Please hold a table at Maxim's
Book
Engage for a performance;
Her agent had booked her for several concerts in Tokyo
Book
Register in a hotel booker
Common Curiosities
Can a book be a copy?
Technically, each printed edition of a book is a copy of the original manuscript, but they are not referred to as copies in common usage.
What is a book?
A book is a collection of printed or digital pages bound together, containing text or illustrations.
What are the differences in copyright between a book and a copy?
A book generally has copyright protection, while a copy’s copyright status depends on the original material’s copyright.
What is the main purpose of a book?
The main purpose of a book is to provide information, education, or entertainment.
What does copy mean in publishing?
In publishing, a copy refers to a printed or digital duplicate of an original document.
How do formats vary between books and copies?
Books are available in formats like hardcover and e-books, while copies are typically in digital or print form.
Why would someone choose a book over a copy?
People choose books for quality content and ownership, whereas copies are preferred for convenience and accessibility.
What are the common uses of copies?
Copies are used for personal, educational, or archival purposes where original documents need to be preserved.
How does one make a copy?
Copies can be made using photocopying machines, scanners, or through digital replication methods.
Are electronic books considered copies?
Electronic books are considered formats of books, not copies, unless they are unauthorized reproductions.
Is copying a book legal?
Copying a book without proper authorization can infringe copyright laws, unless it's done under fair use or similar exemptions.
How do the values of books and copies differ?
The value of a book lies in its content and authorship, while the value of a copy is in its fidelity and utility relative to the original.
What impact do copies have on the publishing industry?
Copies impact the publishing industry by necessitating measures for copyright protection and distribution control.
Can copies replace books?
While copies serve as duplicates for practical use, they cannot replace books in terms of originality and comprehensive content.
What role do copies play in education?
Copies play a crucial role in education by providing accessible resources and materials for study.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
