Writing & StyleStyle guide

CC’d, CCed, or Cc’d?

The verb “cc” means to send someone a copy of an email or letter. Oxford records the past form “cc’d” and the -ing form “cc’ing”; Cambridge confirms “cc” as a verb. Other edited forms occur, but “cc’d” is a strong dictionary-supported choice when you need the inflected abbreviation.

Quick answer

Use “cc’d” when you want a concise dictionary-supported past tense: “I cc’d Maya on the email.” For formal prose, “copied Maya on the email” can be clearer.

Key details

Base Formcc
Dictionary Ing Formcc’ing
Dictionary Past Formcc’d
Plain Language Alternativecopied

Further guidance

Clarity

In formal or international communication, spelling out “copied” can avoid typography and abbreviation questions.

Inflection

Oxford lists “cc’d” for the past and past participle and “cc’ing” for the -ing form.

Verb

Cambridge records “cc” as a verb meaning to send someone a copy.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. cc — Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Oxford University Press · Dictionary verb forms cc’d and cc’ing
  2. cc — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Dictionary definition of cc as noun and verb in email/business correspondence

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