noun

documents

DOK-yuh-muhnts (noun); DOK-yuh-ments (verb)

Documents (noun) means plural of document: written, printed or digital items that record information, such as contracts, reports, certificates or files. Example: “Bring your identity documents to the appointment.”

noun

Plural of document: written, printed or digital items that record information, such as contracts, reports, certificates or files.

"Bring your identity documents to the appointment."

"All the documents are stored in a shared folder."

On a computer, the standard folder in which a user's personal files are kept, named Documents.

"Save it to Documents rather than the desktop."

verb

Third person singular present of document: records something in detail, in writing, photographs or data, so that there is evidence of it.

"The report documents twelve separate failures."

"She documents every call in the case file."

How to Use Documents

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPapers or computer files, or the act of recording something.

When to use it

Neutral.

Easily confused with

documentation → records

Common pairings

legal documents supporting documents documents the process travel documents

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Bring your identity _____ to the appointment.

Etymology

From Latin documentum 'lesson, proof', from docere 'to teach'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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papers records files paperwork logs chronicles evidences

Related Words

wood papers document proceedings identification timber documentation archive

Frequently Asked Questions

Is documents a noun or a verb?

It can be either. As a plural noun it means papers or files, stressed on the first syllable. As a verb it is the he/she/it form of document, meaning to record something, and in careful speech the last syllable is fuller.

What is the difference between documents and documentation?

Documents are the individual items themselves. Documentation is the uncountable body of material as a whole, especially the written material that explains or supports a product, process or claim.

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