$arr1 = ['a'=>1, 'b'=>2, 'c'=>3]; $arr2 = $arr1; unset($arr2['a']; print_r($arr1); //['b'=>2, 'c'=>3] // ------- OR ------- $arr2 = clone $arr1; unset($arr2['a']; print_r($arr1); //['a'=>1, 'b'=>2, 'c'=>3]