Xerox vs. Photocopy — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 30, 2023
"Xerox" is a brand name associated with photocopiers, while "Photocopy" is the general term for creating a duplicate of a document using light.
Difference Between Xerox and Photocopy
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"Xerox" originates from the Xerox Corporation, a notable company in the copying industry. In contrast, "Photocopy" describes the process of reproducing a document by capturing its image through light and printing it onto a new piece of paper.
As brands often become synonymous with the products they represent, "Xerox" became a genericized trademark for the act of copying in certain regions. Meanwhile, "Photocopy" remains a neutral, descriptive term for the same action.
When one uses the term "Xerox," they might be specifically referencing the brand or merely using it as a colloquial verb for copying. On the other hand, "Photocopy" is universally understood to mean the replication of a document.
Notably, while "Photocopy" is universally accepted, using "Xerox" as a verb might not be understood in places where the Xerox brand isn't dominant. Still, both terms ultimately point to the same process.
Legally, "Xerox" is a protected brand name, and its casual use as a verb can lead to issues of trademark genericization. "Photocopy," however, is a general term free from such concerns.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Origin
Brand name of the Xerox Corporation
Descriptive term for a copying process
Type
Trademark (specific)
Generic term (general)
Legal Implications
Potential for trademark genericization
None
Usage Context
Can be specific to certain regions or cultures
Universally understood
Associations
Primarily with photocopy machines from the Xerox brand
Any machine or method that duplicates documents
Compare with Definitions
Xerox
A representation of a specific style of photocopying machines.
The Xerox machine in our office has color printing capabilities.
Photocopy
A duplicate of a document made using light.
I made a Photocopy of my passport for the records.
Xerox
A brand of photocopy machines.
They purchased a new Xerox for the office.
Photocopy
The process of reproducing a document.
The machine can Photocopy in both black and white.
Xerox
Colloquial verb for copying in certain regions.
Can you Xerox this report for me?
Photocopy
A light-based method of quickly duplicating documents.
Before digital storage, many relied on Photocopy archives.
Xerox
The company that pioneered modern photocopying.
Xerox introduced many innovations in document reproduction.
Photocopy
A printed replica obtained from an original document.
Please provide a Photocopy of your driver's license.
Xerox
Xerox Holdings Corporation (; also known simply as Xerox) is an American corporation that sells print and digital document products and services in more than 160 countries. Xerox is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut (having moved from Stamford, Connecticut, in October 2007), though it is incorporated in New York with its largest population of employees based around Rochester, New York, the area in which the company was founded.
Photocopy
To create a duplicate image of a paper using a photocopier.
Can you Photocopy this article for the class?
Xerox
A photocopy.
Hand me that xerox, would you?
Photocopy
To make a photographic reproduction of (printed or graphic material), especially by xerography.
Xerox
A photocopier.
The xerox broke down yesterday.
Photocopy
A photographic or xerographic reproduction.
Xerox
To make a paper copy or copies by means of a photocopier.
I xeroxed the report for all the people at the meeting.
Photocopy
A copy made using a photocopier.
Xerox
A copy made by the xerox process
Photocopy
To make a copy using a photocopier.
Xerox
Duplicator that copies graphic matter by the action of light on an electrically charged photoconductive insulating surface in which the latent image is developed with a resinous powder
Photocopy
A photographic copy of written or printed or graphic work
Xerox
Reproduce by xerography
Photocopy
Reproduce by xerography
Xerox
A genericized term for photocopying due to brand dominance.
I'll Xerox these notes for tomorrow's meeting.
Common Curiosities
Is "Xerox" the same as "Photocopy"?
"Xerox" is a brand, while "Photocopy" is a general term for the copying process.
What does "Xerox" technically refer to?
The Xerox Corporation and its associated products.
Is "Photocopy" associated with a specific brand?
No, it's a generic term for duplicating documents using light.
Are there other brands than "Xerox" for photocopy machines?
Yes, there are many other brands in the copying industry.
Which is more formal, "Xerox" or "Photocopy"?
"Photocopy" is more formal and universally understood.
Can "Xerox" be used as a verb?
In some regions, yes; it's colloquially used as a verb for copying.
How does a "Photocopy" machine work?
It reproduces documents by capturing their image through light.
Is it correct to use "Xerox" to mean any photocopy?
Colloquially, in some places, yes; but it's derived from a specific brand name.
Why has "Xerox" become synonymous with photocopying?
Due to the brand's significant impact and dominance in the copying industry.
Did Xerox invent photocopying?
The Xerox Corporation pioneered many modern photocopying techniques.
Is "Xerox" a universal term for copying?
No, its use as a verb is regional.
Does "Photocopy" only refer to black and white copies?
No, it can refer to color copies as well.
Can using "Xerox" as a verb lead to legal issues?
Overuse can lead to trademark genericization, diluting the brand's uniqueness.
Is every photocopy machine a "Xerox"?
No, "Xerox" specifically refers to machines from the Xerox Corporation.
Is there a difference in quality between a "Xerox" and a "Photocopy"?
The quality depends on the machine and method, not the term used.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Stab vs. Jab
Next Comparison
Penalized vs. PenalisedAuthor Spotlight
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.
