paper
PAY-puh
Paper (noun) means a thin material made from pressed plant fibres, used for writing, printing, wrapping, and countless other purposes. Example: “He tore a sheet of paper from his notebook and wrote down the address.”
noun
1
A thin material made from pressed plant fibres, used for writing, printing, wrapping, and countless other purposes.
"He tore a sheet of paper from his notebook and wrote down the address."
"She wrapped the gift in bright blue paper."
"The printer had run out of paper."
2
A written composition, especially an academic essay, research article, or exam.
"Her paper on how bees find flowers was praised by the whole department."
"He submitted his paper to a physics journal."
"Students had three hours to finish the exam paper."
adj
1
Existing only in official plans or on record, rather than in reality.
"The plan showed a paper army that looked large but had few real soldiers."
"The investor was disappointed to find that his paper profits had never become real money."
"The company was a paper entity with no real employees."
verb
1
To cover a wall or surface with (wall)paper.
"I'm going to paper the bedroom ceiling with a pale green pattern."
"Dad papered over the crack in the wall before the guests arrived."
"They spent the weekend papering the living room."
2
To fill an audience or venue with free tickets to make an event look well attended.
"The theatre manager papered the house on opening night so the stage didn't look empty."
"To paper the hall, the organisers handed out free tickets at the local college."
"The struggling show was papered with comps every night."
How to use paper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe thin sheet material we write and print on, or, as a verb, to cover something in it (or fill a room with free tickets).
Common mistake
"On paper" means "in theory" or "according to the plan," not literally written down.
Common pairings
a piece of paper
paper trail
on paper
paperwork
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- papers
- Past tense
- papered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He tore a sheet of _____ from his notebook and wrote down the address.
Etymology
From Old French papier, going back through Latin papyrus to Greek papyros — the same word that gives us "papyrus," the reed the ancient Egyptians made writing material from.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for paper
See all rhymes for paper →Frequently asked questions
What does “paper” mean?
The word “paper” means a thin material made from pressed plant fibres, used for writing, printing, wrapping, and countless other purposes. In plain terms, the thin sheet material we write and print on, or, as a verb, to cover something in it (or fill a room with free tickets).
How do you pronounce “paper”?
“Paper” is pronounced PAY-puh (/ˈpeɪ̯.pəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “paper” in a sentence?
Here is “paper” used in a sentence: “She wrapped the gift in bright blue paper.”
What part of speech is “paper”?
Depending on how it is used, “paper” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “paper” come from?
The word “paper” comes from Latin. From Old French papier, going back through Latin papyrus to Greek papyros — the same word that gives us "papyrus," the reed the ancient Egyptians made writing material from.
Is “paper” a common word?
“Paper” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “paper” have?
“Paper” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thin material made from pressed plant fibres, used for writing, printing, wrapping, and countless other purposes.
What is paper made from?
Paper is made from plant fibres rich in cellulose, most often wood pulp but also cotton, bamboo, or recycled paper. The fibres are broken down into a watery pulp, spread into thin sheets, then pressed and dried. Recycled paper reuses fibres from old paper to reduce the need for fresh wood.
What is the difference between paper and cardboard?
Both are made from the same plant fibres, but cardboard is much thicker, heavier, and stiffer, often built from several layers. Paper is thin and flexible, suited to writing and printing, while cardboard's strength makes it ideal for boxes and packaging. Cardboard is essentially a sturdier form of paper.
What are the main types of paper?
Everyday types include printer and writing paper, newsprint used for newspapers, tissue and kitchen paper, construction or craft paper, and glossy photo paper. Each is engineered for its job, varying in weight, texture, and absorbency. Thicker grades shade into the card and cardboard used for packaging.
Who invented paper?
Paper as we know it is credited to ancient China, where the official Cai Lun is traditionally said to have refined its manufacture around 105 AD. Earlier writing surfaces such as Egyptian papyrus were different materials. From China, papermaking spread gradually across Asia, the Arab world, and eventually Europe.
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