noun
paper
PAY-puh
noun
1
A thin material made from pressed plant fibres, used for writing, printing, wrapping, and countless other purposes.
"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.
"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 company was a paper entity with no real employees."
verb
1
To cover a wall or surface with (wall)paper.
"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 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
Word Forms
papered past tense, papers singular
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Fill the Gap
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She wrapped the gift in bright blue _____.
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.