Before the development of photographic copiers, a carbon copy was the under-copy of a typed or written document placed over carbon paper and the under-copy sheet itself.

What does it mean when something is a carbon copy?

English Language Learners Definition of carbon copy

: a copy of a document, letter, etc., that is made by using carbon paper. : a person or thing that is very similar to another person or thing.

What is an example of carbon copy?

When a person uses carbon copy as a verb for emails, they usually use the abbreviation, and add an indirect object after it. Example: Please cc all the department heads when you email the CEO. Example: Copy my secretary on all your emails to me so she can update my schedule.