noun
Common
paste
payst
Paste (noun) means a soft, moist, thick mixture, especially one used as an adhesive or made from crushed food. Example: “He spread wallpaper paste evenly across the wall.”
noun
1
A soft, moist, thick mixture, especially one used as an adhesive or made from crushed food.
"He spread wallpaper paste evenly across the wall."
"The recipe calls for two tablespoons of tomato paste."
"She mixed flour and water into a smooth paste to stick the paper."
verb
1
To insert copied text, images, or other content into a document, typically after copying or cutting it.
"Copy the link, then paste it into the email."
"You can paste the address straight into the search box."
"I accidentally pasted the wrong paragraph into my essay."
2
To defeat someone decisively, or to hit them hard (informal).
"The home team pasted their rivals 6-0."
"Our school team got pasted in the final and went home disappointed."
"The champion pasted his opponent in the first round."
How to use paste
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA thick sticky substance, or (in computing) the act of inserting copied content.
Common pairings
copy and paste
tomato paste
wallpaper paste
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Word forms
- Plural
- pastes
- Third person singular
- pastes
- Past tense
- pasted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He spread wallpaper _____ evenly across the wall.
Etymology
From Old French paste, from Late Latin pasta, "dough" — the same root as pasta.
Related words
Rhymes for paste
See all rhymes for paste →Frequently asked questions
What does “paste” mean?
The word “paste” means a soft, moist, thick mixture, especially one used as an adhesive or made from crushed food. In plain terms, a thick sticky substance, or (in computing) the act of inserting copied content.
How do you pronounce “paste”?
“Paste” is pronounced payst (/peɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “paste” in a sentence?
Here is “paste” used in a sentence: “He spread wallpaper paste evenly across the wall.”
What part of speech is “paste”?
Depending on how it is used, “paste” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “paste” come from?
The word “paste” comes from Late Latin. From Old French paste, from Late Latin pasta, "dough" — the same root as pasta.
Is “paste” a common word?
“Paste” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “paste” have?
“Paste” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, moist, thick mixture, especially one used as an adhesive or made from crushed food.
What is the difference between copy and paste?
To "copy" is to make a duplicate of selected text or images and store it on the clipboard, leaving the original in place. To "paste" is to insert that copied content into a document or field. You copy first, then paste the content somewhere else.
What is the difference between cut and paste and copy and paste?
With "copy and paste," the original content stays where it is and a duplicate is inserted elsewhere. With "cut and paste," the original is removed from its place and moved to the new location. In both cases, "paste" is the step that inserts the content.
What is the difference between paste and glue?
"Paste" is a soft, moist, thick mixture, often made from flour and water, and is usually a gentle, weaker adhesive suited to paper. "Glue" is generally stronger and often synthetic, used for a wider range of materials. Paste tends to be milder and easier to remove.
