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

Use filing cabinets or folders for paperwork, and try inserts and organizers to maintain structure in your kitchen drawers, desks and dressers. —Claire Peltier, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026

Ni'Dreyah Marshall, 17, died after being shot in the head in the apartment, according to court paperwork filed by the Allegheny County Police Department. —Mike Darnay, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026

And worse comes a sweep, where our clients are not just suddenly uprooted, but lose their practical items, like clothes and paperwork, and cherished personal mementos. —Deborah Berkman, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2026

Contracts, tax records, bank statements, ownership documents and residency paperwork should be able to be accessed remotely and shared across systems. —Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 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
• artwork
• beadwork

Kids Definition

paperwork

noun

pa·​per·​work -ˌwərk 

: routine office or record-keeping work