wallpaper

6 synonyms for wallpaper, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — Decorative paper or paper-like material used to cover interior walls.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

background paper

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

mural backdrop

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

wall covering desktop pattern

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

Decorative paper or paper-like material used to cover interior walls.

“They chose a floral wallpaper for the guest bedroom.”

mural wall covering backdrop desktop pattern background

2. verb

To cover a wall or room with wallpaper.

“We spent the weekend wallpapering the hallway.”

paper

How to use wallpaper

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

hang wallpaper desktop wallpaper peeling wallpaper floral wallpaper

Etymology

A straightforward compound of wall and paper, dating from the 1800s when patterned paper became a common way to decorate room walls.

Full origin of wallpaper →

Frequently asked questions

What does “wallpaper” mean?

The word “wallpaper” means decorative paper or paper-like material used to cover interior walls. In plain terms, patterned paper stuck to walls for decoration — or, on a computer, the background image on your screen.

How do you use “wallpaper” in a sentence?

Here is “wallpaper” used in a sentence: “They chose a floral wallpaper for the guest bedroom.”

What is another word for “wallpaper”?

Words with a similar meaning to “wallpaper” include desktop pattern and background.

What part of speech is “wallpaper”?

Depending on how it is used, “wallpaper” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “wallpaper” come from?

The word “wallpaper” dates back to around 1800. A straightforward compound of wall and paper, dating from the 1800s when patterned paper became a common way to decorate room walls.

Is “wallpaper” a common word?

“Wallpaper” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “wallpaper” have?

“Wallpaper” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: decorative paper or paper-like material used to cover interior walls.

What is the difference between wallpaper and paint for walls?

Wallpaper is a decorative paper or paper-like material applied to cover interior walls, often with printed patterns or textures, while paint is a liquid coating applied directly to the wall surface. Wallpaper can achieve more elaborate patterns and textures than paint typically allows, but it is generally harder to remove or change.

What is the difference between wallpaper and a screensaver?

Wallpaper is the static image or pattern used as the background of a computer or phone screen, visible behind icons and apps. A screensaver, by contrast, is a moving image or animation that only appears after a period of inactivity, traditionally used to prevent screen burn-in.

Can wallpaper be used as a verb?

Yes, to wallpaper means to cover a wall or room with wallpaper, as in "they wallpapered the bedroom last weekend." It can also be used figuratively to describe covering something extensively, such as a website using an image to fill its entire background.

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Nearby words

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