"Ditto" means "the same," or "the same thing that somebody just said or wrote." We took this word from Italian, where it means "said," or "said before."
"Ditto" is a relaxed, casual kind of word. It helps you avoid having to say too much or write too much. For example, let's say we're ordering lunch. You say, "I'd like two slices of cheese pizza, a side salad, and a medium fountain drink, please." Then I say, "Ditto!" Which means, "I'd like the exact same thing that my friend just ordered." It's a lot faster to say!
For another example, let's say that these foxes have just slunk into the backyard, and one fox says to the other, "Hey, what's that big round thing? I'm curious about it. I'm gonna go climb up there and see what is." And the other fox says, "Ditto!" That means that she, too, is curious about the big round thing, and she, too, is going to climb up there and see what it is. It's just a lot faster to say "ditto"!
So in other words, "ditto" can mean "that, too," or "me, too" or "the same for me." In the gif below, the kitten is soft, white, and adorable. Ditto for the puppy. (That means the puppy, too, is soft, white, and adorable.)
It's important to notice that "ditto" is a relaxed, slangy kind of word. You can use it with friends and with close family, or with kids. ("I love you!" "Ditto!") But if you're talking more formally, or talking with adults you just met, then the word "ditto" might be too relaxed. In that case, say "likewise" instead. ("Nice to meet you!" "Likewise!")
Lastly, a ditto can also be a photocopy of something, or a repetition of something. And, a ditto, or a ditto mark, can be a little double mark, just like a double quotation mark, ", that means "again, or the same." Like this:
(Source: original photo)
As you can see, for dessert, Mom wants pudding, and so does Taylor, so I wrote a ditto, ", underneath "pudding" to mean "also pudding." Nana wants a cupcake, and so does Dad, but I didn't want to write "cupcake" again, so I wrote a ditto.
Make a flash card:
You can write your own definition and choose your own picture, or copy mine.
Term
Definition
Picture
ditto
the same that somebody just said
Write your own sentence!
You can use either of the two ideas I'll suggest, or you can invent your own. Include as much detail as you can!
Remember: in a casual setting, like when you're talking with your friends, you can say "ditto" to mean "the same" or "me, too."
Idea 1: "Some day, I'd like to travel to (some place) and visit lots of its (parks, beaches, museums, restaurants, or other attractions); ditto for (another place)."
Idea 2: "When you're trying to (do something), you might accidentally (make some kind of mistake), but keep trying—ditto if you (make some other kind of mistake)."
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