papery

1 of 2

adjective

pa·​pery ˈpā-p(ə-)rē 

: resembling paper in thinness or consistency

papery leaves

papery silk

paperiness noun

paperiness

2 of 2

noun

pa·​per·​i·​ness

ˈpāp(ə)rēnə̇s, 

-rin-

plural -es

: the condition of being papery

the whole plant is of a dry paperiness, like the everlastings

—M. B. Eldershaw

Examples of papery in a Sentence

Adjective

a berry with papery skin

the papery wing of a moth

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The seeds are papery and grow in clusters, typically staying on the tree through winter. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 22 Oct. 2026

Zones 3-9 Oriental Poppy The brightly colored flowers of Oriental poppies (Papaver orientale), with their delicate, papery petals, bloom in mid to late spring, sometimes until early summer. — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026

Now that the cool fall weather has arrived, the beautiful flowerheads on your hydrangeas are probably papery and brown. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 24 Sep. 2026

Late-summer and early fall weeds typically feature fingerlike grass spikes, papery composite daisylike heads, or dense, spiked seed clusters. — Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

papery + -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

1602, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for papery

• drapery

Kids Definition

papery

adjective

pa·​pery ˈpā-p(ə-)rē 

: resembling paper in thinness or firmness

papery leaves

paperiness noun