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

County officials said that two election judges placed 69 ballots in the post-election paperwork box instead of ballot boxes, so they were not counted on election night. —Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026

Signing documents online has become normal for work, healthcare licensing and financial paperwork. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026

The councilwoman filed paperwork last month to run for mayor ahead of the June 2 primary election. —City News Service, Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026

The first tenants have signed the paperwork to operate at The Canopy, a 12-acre shopping center under development at the Great Park Neighborhoods. —Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 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