paper
Looking for the meaning of paper? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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A sheet material used for writing on or printing on (or as a non-waterproof container), usually made by draining cellulose fibres from a suspension in water.
A newspaper or anything used as such (such as a newsletter or listing magazine).
Wallpaper.
Wrapping paper.
(rock paper scissors) An open hand (a handshape resembling a sheet of paper), that beats rock and loses to scissors. It loses to lizard and beats Spock in rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock.
A written document, generally shorter than a book (white paper, term paper), in particular one written for the Government.
A written document that reports scientific or academic research and is usually subjected to peer review before publication in a scientific journal (as a journal article or the manuscript for one) or in the proceedings of a scientific or academic meeting (such as a conference, workshop, or symposium).
A scholastic essay.
A set of examination questions to be answered at one session.
Money.
A university course.
A paper packet containing a quantity of items.
“a paper of pins, tacks, opium, etc.”
A medicinal preparation spread upon paper, intended for external application.
“cantharides paper”
A substance resembling paper secreted by certain invertebrates as protection for their nests and eggs.
Free passes of admission to a theatre, etc.
(by extension) The people admitted by free passes.
To apply paper to.
“to paper the hallway walls”
To document; to memorialize.
“After they reached an agreement, their staffs papered it up.”
To fill (a theatre or other paid event) with complimentary seats.
“As the event has not sold well, we'll need to paper the house.”
To submit official papers to (a law court, etc.).
To give public notice (typically by displaying posters) that a person is wanted by the police or other authority.
To sandpaper.
To enfold in paper.
To paste the endpapers and flyleaves at the beginning and end of a book before fitting it into its covers.
Made of paper.
“paper bag; paper plane”
Insubstantial (from the weakness of common paper)
“paper tiger; paper gangster”
Planned (from plans being drawn up on paper)
“paper rocket; paper engine”
Having a title that is merely official, or given by courtesy or convention.
“a paper baron; a paper lord”
Understanding "paper"
The word **"paper"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/ˈpeɪpə/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"paper"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "paper" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "paper" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "paper" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /ˈpeɪpə/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "paper" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "paper" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "paper" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "paper". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/ˈpeɪpə/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "paper" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use paper in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "paper" can be used in academic and casual conversations.