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

But administrators from the Civilian Office of Police Accountability rejected a records request for initial paperwork on the probe, saying that CPD had requested the records be withheld so as not to interfere with the investigation. —Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026

Abdullayev was unable to provide detectives with any paperwork or title for the car. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026

In other words, your intentions may not be considered if your paperwork is not in order. —Rebecca L. Palmer, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026

However, frontline doctors report high rates of burnout and depression because insurance companies force them to churn through dozens of patients a day, requiring huge amounts of paperwork for very low pay. —Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 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