noun
Common
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
1
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."
"She scanned the documents and emailed them to her lawyer."
2
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."
"I found the file in my Documents folder."
"Open Documents and look for the folder called Taxes."
verb
1
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."
"The museum documents the town's history with old photographs and letters."
How to use documents
Learner’s notesIn 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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Bring your identity _____ to the appointment.
Etymology
From Latin documentum 'lesson, proof', from docere 'to teach'.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
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.
What is the meaning of documents?
"documents" (noun) means plural of document: written, printed or digital items that record information, such as contracts, reports, certificates or files.
What is another word for documents?
Other words for "documents" include papers, records, files, paperwork, logs, chronicles.
