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

By the time an investment committee reviews the portfolio, the paperwork has diversified. — Khalifa Aldhaheri, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Hand off health insurance cards, prescriptions and medical paperwork so your student carries them, not you. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

The court declined to hear the application on technical grounds, asking authorities to complete the required paperwork. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

That helps explain the vast selection of RCPO watches at the roadshow event featuring blinding amounts of gemstones, esoteric stone dials and paperwork validating that they were restored exclusively in Geneva at the brand’s Restoration Atelier. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 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