paperwork

noun

pa·​per·​work ˈpā-pər-ˌwərk How to pronounce paperwork (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No interest, no loan paperwork, no credit risk. Steve Hruby, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Feb. 2026 Monday’s speech took place on the first day for candidates to file paperwork to run for mayor. Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026 Arizona officials boast a robust paperwork collection protocol aimed to prevent, detect and stop underage gambling, said Suzanne Trainor, a Department of Gaming spokesperson. Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026 Palace’s paperwork to rubber-stamp the transfer never arrived. Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paperwork

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paperwork was in 1899

Cite this Entry

“Paperwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paperwork. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

paperwork

noun
pa·​per·​work -ˌwərk How to pronounce paperwork (audio)
: routine office or record-keeping work

More from Merriam-Webster on paperwork

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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