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

State workers who process the forms were stretched thin before the stricter rules and now process more paperwork, advocates said. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 19 June 2026

According to court records viewed by Fox News Digital, the country star filed the paperwork on May 18 in Williamson County, Tennessee, listing the date of separation as May 9. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026

Newsom aides blame late paperwork amid emergency response, noting the donations were disclosed before regulators inquired. — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

Not an internal review, not a technical explanation, not a paperwork maneuver. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 June 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