paperwork

noun

pa·​per·​work ˈpā-pər-ˌwərk 

: routine clerical or recordkeeping work often incidental to a more important task

Examples of paperwork in a Sentence

She failed to file the paperwork on time.

The lawyer had us fill in the paperwork for the mortgage.

Recent Examples on the Web

No ID cards, no phone apps, no paperwork—just a fast and secure authentication process. —Roger Dooley, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

Surveillance footage later captured a distinctive work truck — identified by its unique paint job — traveling south on Northwest Ninth Avenue, according to Allen’s arrest paperwork. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2025

Thick paperwork still in my hand, the rape crisis counselor’s new underwear still on my body, a hospital band on my wrist. —Amanda Nguyen, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025

Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is seriously considering a run, too, filing paperwork this week to open a fundraising account for a potential mayoral campaign. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paperwork

• bodywork
• handiwork
• ironwork
• latticework
• masterwork
• metalwork
• needlework
• openwork
• overwork
• subnetwork
• artwork
• beadwork

Kids Definition

paperwork

noun

pa·​per·​work -ˌwərk 

: routine office or record-keeping work