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

But Janet is not just someone who sits behind the desk answering phones and filing paperwork. —Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

The 24-year-old son of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt filed paperwork on Friday, April 17, to officially change his name from Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt to Maddox Chivan Jolie, according to documents obtained by USA TODAY. —Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 29 May 2026

Or even if they are recorded, the paperwork may be unfiled, undigitized and effectively inaccessible. —Diane Cole, NPR, 29 May 2026

To prevent a top-two shutout in the future, Democratic political operative Steve Maviglio earlier this month filed the initial paperwork for an initiative on the 2028 ballot to repeal top-two. —John Seiler, Oc Register, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paperwork

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

Kids Definition

paperwork

noun

pa·​per·​work -ˌwərk 

: routine office or record-keeping work