1 A2 neutral
To share a room, bed, or space with another person because of limited availability.
"There weren't enough rooms, so some of the team had to double up."
double up
B1 neutral mixed transitive/intransitive
To share a space with someone, to bend in pain or laughter, or to increase something twofold.
In plain English
To share something (like a room or a bed), to fold over from pain or laughter, or to become twice as much.
What does "double up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To bend sharply at the waist due to pain or laughter.
"She doubled up with laughter when she heard the punchline."
3 B1 neutral
To increase or multiply something by two; to serve a dual purpose.
"The sofa doubles up as a guest bed when we have visitors."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fold something up into two layers, or to become two of something.
Actually means
To share something (like a room or a bed), to fold over from pain or laughter, or to become twice as much.
Usage tip
Has several distinct senses. The sharing sense is common in accommodation contexts. The bending sense overlaps with 'double over'. Context makes the meaning clear.
Words that pair with "double up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
room bed pain laughter dose bet profits
How to conjugate "double up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
double up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
doubles up
he/she/it
Past simple
doubled up
yesterday
Past participle
doubled up
have + pp
-ing form
doubling up
continuous
Hear "double up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "double up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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