Paper Definition

pāpər
papered, papering, papers
noun
papers
A thin, flexible material made usually in sheets from a pulp prepared from rags, wood, or other fibrous material, and used for writing or printing on, for packaging, as structural material, as a fabric substitute, etc.
Webster's New World
A single piece or sheet of paper.
Webster's New World
A printed or written sheet.
Webster's New World
One or more sheets of paper bearing writing or printing, especially:
American Heritage
Short-term debt instruments, especially commercial paper.
American Heritage
verb
papered, papering, papers
To cover or line with paper; specif., to cover or decorate with wallpaper.
Webster's New World
To hang wallpaper.
Webster's New World
To cover with wallpaper.
American Heritage
To wrap or enclose in paper.
Webster's New World
To help to fill (a theater, etc.) by issuing free passes.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
adjective
Of paper; made of paper.
Webster's New World
Like paper; thin.
Webster's New World
Of or relating to clerical work.
Paper duties.
American Heritage
Existing only in written or printed form; theoretical; not real.
Paper profits.
Webster's New World
Planned but not realized; theoretical.
American Heritage
Antonyms:
idiom
in paper
  • With a paperback binding; as a paperback.
American Heritage
on paper
  • In writing or print.
  • In theory, as opposed to actual performance or fact:

    It is a good team on paper, but its members play poorly together.

American Heritage
on paper
  • in written or printed form
  • in theory
Webster's New World
paper over
  • to conceal or try to cover up (differences, difficulties, unpleasant facts, etc.)
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Paper

Noun

Singular:
paper
Plural:
papers

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Paper

Origin of Paper

  • Middle English from Old French papier from Latin papȳrus papyrus plant, papyrus paper from Greek papūros

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Anglo-Norman paper, from Old French papier, from Latin papȳrus, from Ancient Greek πάπυρος (pápuros).

    From Wiktionary

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