paperwork

noun

pa·​per·​work ˈpā-pər-ˌwərk How to pronounce paperwork (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Authorities have reportedly issued more than a dozen subpoenas, including to some of Omar’s relatives, and are examining her family’s immigration paperwork. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026 As a kid, Havi Nguyen sometimes missed school to translate at doctor’s appointments, and was managing Medicaid paperwork for herself and her sisters, on behalf of their parents who’d immigrated from Vietnam. — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026 According to police paperwork, the victim, Josh Mascara, said he was hit with a baseball bat about 20 times and has a broken fibula. — Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Another executive said companies also get around export controls by altering product descriptions on government paperwork. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paperwork

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paperwork was in 1899

Rhymes for paperwork

See All Rhymes for paperwork

Browse Nearby Words

paper-white narcissus
paperwork
paperworker
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Cite this Entry

“Paperwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paperwork. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

paperwork

noun
pa·​per·​work -ˌwərk How to pronounce paperwork (audio)
: routine office or record-keeping work
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