paper-thin

adjective

pa·​per-thin ˈpā-pər-ˌthin How to pronounce paper-thin (audio)
Synonyms of paper-thinnext
: extremely thin
paper-thin partitions

Examples of paper-thin in a Sentence

since the wall separating our cubicles is paper-thin, I get way too much information about my coworker's love life
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.
Others say a Chicago street peddler named Anthony Ferreri first sliced the beef into paper-thin pieces so 15 pounds could serve 50 people. Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026 Several school board races in metro Atlanta’s largest counties had paper-thin results. Eric Stirgus, AJC.com, 20 May 2026 That distinction matters when hospital CFOs are trying to protect paper-thin margins. Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 Dishes are refined and satisfying—a Friday lunch in February included an avocado quinoa salad with paper-thin radishes and chimichurri, roasted scallops with barley risotto and a chilly glass of the house brut champagne. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paper-thin

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paper-thin was in 1928

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Cite this Entry

“Paper-thin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paper-thin. Accessed 26 May. 2026.

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