sandpaper

1 of 2

noun

sand·​pa·​per ˈsan(d)-ˌpā-pər 

: paper covered on one side with abrasive material (such as sand) glued fast and used for smoothing and polishing

sandpapery

ˈsan(d)-ˌpā-p(ə-)rē 

adjective

sandpaper

2 of 2

verb

sandpapered; sandpapering; sandpapers

transitive verb

: to rub with or as if with sandpaper

Examples of sandpaper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

My early, cautious attempts felt like sandpaper on sensitive skin. — Rebekah Taussig, Time, 7 July 2026

Next, use a 1,000- to 1,500-grit sandpaper on the broad, flat surfaces of the cabinet to prepare the cabinets to soak in the primer. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 6 July 2026

Verb

With wingers Kent Johnson and Conor Garland expected to hold top-six or top-nine jobs next season, having Marchment’s size (6-foot-5, 212 pounds) and sandpaper in the lineup becomes that much more important. — Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026

How To Sharpen Scissors At Home From stones to sandpaper, there are a few ways to easily and quickly sharpen your scissors at home. — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1755, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sandpaper

• newspaper
• notepaper
• skyscraper
• wallpaper
• wastepaper
• caper
• paper
• raper
• scraper
• shaper
• taper
• vapor

Kids Definition

sandpaper

1 of 2 noun

sand·​pa·​per -ˌpā-pər 

: paper with rough material (as sand) glued on one side and used for smoothing and polishing

sandpaper

2 of 2 verb

: to rub with or as if with sandpaper