Paper — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb adjective /ˈpā-pər/ pa·per

Meaning & Definition of Paper

Paper (noun)

  1. a felted sheet of usually vegetable fibers laid down on a fine screen from a water suspension
  2. a similar sheet of other material (such as plastic)
  3. a piece of paper

Paper (verb)

  1. to put down or describe in writing
  2. to fold or enclose in paper
  3. to cover or line with paper; especially, to apply wallpaper to

Paper (adjective)

  1. made of paper, cardboard, or papier-mâché
  2. papery
  3. of or relating to clerical work or written communication

Paper (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a piece of paper with information written or to be written on it

    "handed in the correct papers"

    similar: blank, document, form
    related: instrument, writ, filing, sheet

  2. a publication that appears at regular intervals

    "we get the paper every morning"

    similar: book, bulletin, diurnal, gazette, journal, mag, magazine, newspaper, organ, periodical, rag, review, serial, zine
    related: annual, bimonthly, biweekly, daily, monthly, quarterly, semimonthly, semiweekly, triweekly, weekly, yearbook, digest, little magazine, fanzine, pictorial, slick, broadside, edition, extra, sheet, supplement, tab, tabloid, newsletter, newsmagazine, newsweekly

  3. a short piece of writing done as a school exercise

    "write a paper about your favorite author"

    similar: composition, theme
    related: article, essay, story

  4. a short piece of writing typically expressing a point of view

    "the papers written by the Founding Fathers urging adoption of the federal constitution"

    similar: article, composition, essay, theme
    related: causerie, column, commentary, editorial, feature, report, review, write-up, dissertation, thesis, tract, treatise, discourse, discussion, exposition, prolegomenon, study

Paper (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being something in name or form only

    "there's a paper boycott of that company's products that nobody seems to be honoring"

    similar: formal, nominal, titular
    related: so-called, phantom, virtual, apparent, assumed, evident, ostensible, presumed, seeming, supposed
    near: actual, real, true

Related Entry: Paper over (verb)

Paper over is a different word from Paper. The synonyms below are for paper over, not for paper.

  1. to dismiss as of little importance

    "the differences between the two factions are too great to be papered over in the name of party unity"

    similar: blink (at), brush (aside or off), condone, discount, disregard, excuse, forgive, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, overlook, overpass, pardon, pass over, remit, shrug off, whitewash, wink (at), close one's eyes to, forgive and forget
    related: explain, justify, rationalize, absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate, waive, wave (aside or off)
    near: heed, mark, mind, note, object (to)

  2. to keep secret or shut off from view

    "the company tried to paper over its red ink, issuing assurances that it was still financially sound"

    similar: belie, blanket, blot out, cloak, conceal, cover, curtain, disguise, enshroud, hide, mask, obscure, occult, screen, shroud, suppress, veil
    related: bury, camouflage, cover (up), smother, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, becloud, bedim, befog, block, cloud, darken, eclipse, obstruct, occlude, overcast, overshadow, shade
    opposite: bare, disclose, display, divulge, expose, reveal, show, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil
    near: bring out, present, clarify, illuminate, advertise, air, broadcast, get out, proclaim, publicize, publish, spread

Related Entry: Paper-thin (adjective)

Paper-thin is a different word from Paper. The synonyms below are for paper-thin, not for paper.

  1. being of less than usual width

    "since the wall separating our cubicles is paper-thin, I get way too much information about my coworker's love life"

    similar: fine, hairline, narrow, needlelike, skinny, slender, slim, slim-jim, thin, ultrathin
    related: attenuate, attenuated, elongate, linear, bottleneck, close, compressed, condensed, constricted, contracted, squeezed, tight, tightened, lanky, rangy, reedy, shoestring, spindly, stalky, stringy, twiggy, willowy, wispy, lank, spare
    opposite: broad, fat, wide
    near: chunky, squat, stocky, stumpy, thick, thickset, bulky, massive, voluminous, thickish, widish

Related Entry: Paper money (noun)

Paper money is a different word from Paper. The synonyms below are for paper money, not for paper.

  1. as in dead presidents, scrips

    similar: dead presidents (slang), scrips, banknotes, bills, greenbacks, notes, bucks, dollars, simoleons (slang), smackers (slang), C-notes, fifties, fins (slang), fivers (slang), fives, hundreds, ones, sawbucks (slang), tenners, tens, twenties, twos, cash, chips, currencies, dough, legal tender, lucre, money, checks, drafts, money orders

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Paper

The most common words with a similar meaning to Paper:

blank, document, form, book, bulletin, diurnal, gazette, journal, mag, magazine, newspaper, organ, periodical, rag, review, serial, zine, composition, theme, article, essay, formal, nominal, titular

Related Words for Paper

instrument, writ, filing, sheet, annual, bimonthly, biweekly, daily, monthly, quarterly, semimonthly, semiweekly, triweekly, weekly, yearbook, digest, little magazine, fanzine, pictorial, slick, broadside, edition, extra, supplement, tab, tabloid, newsletter, newsmagazine, newsweekly, story

Near Antonyms of Paper

actual, real, true

Word Forms of Paper

Inflections: papered, papering

Derived words: paperer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Paper

Middle English papir, from Anglo-French, from Latin papyrus papyrus, paper, from Greek papyros papyrus

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Paper

Words & Phrases Containing Paper

paper birch, paper chromatography, paper clip, paper cutter, paper knife, paper money, paper mulberry

Frequently Asked Questions about Paper

What does "Paper" mean?

"Paper" means a felted sheet of usually vegetable fibers laid down on a fine screen from a water suspension. As an a noun, a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: a felted sheet of usually vegetable fibers laid down on a fine screen from a water suspension. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Paper"?

Other words for "Paper" include blank, document, form, book, bulletin, diurnal, gazette and journal. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Paper" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Paper"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Paper". Common alternatives include blank, document, form, book, bulletin, diurnal, gazette, journal, mag and magazine.

How do you use "Paper" in a sentence?

Examples of "Paper" in a sentence: "handed in the correct papers"; "we get the paper every morning"; "write a paper about your favorite author".

Is "Paper" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Paper" can be used as a noun, a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Paper" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Paper" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Paper"?

"Paper" is pronounced /ˈpā-pər/ and divided into syllables as pa·per.

What is the origin of the word "Paper"?

"Paper" comes from Middle English papir, from Anglo-French, from Latin papyrus papyrus, paper, from Greek papyros papyrus. First known use: 14th century.