ENGLISH
REFERENCE

origami

n.
B1 Intermediate US //ˌɔɹiˈɡɑˌmi// UK //ˌɒɹɪɡˈɑːmi// origa·mi

n. the art of folding paper into shapes like animals, flowers, or boxes. You do not use any glue or scissors to make these designs.

n. the traditional Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes or figures without the use of scissors or glue.


SIMPLE

She spent the afternoon learning how to make origami birds.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher showed the students how to fold a simple origami crane using a single square of paper.

COMPLEX

While traditionally associated with Japanese culture, origami has evolved into a sophisticated mathematical discipline, with complex folds used to solve geometric problems that were previously thought impossible.

Origin

Borrowed from Japanese 折(お)り紙(がみ) (origami), from 折(お)り (ori, “to fold”) + 紙(かみ) (kami, “paper”).

© 2026 English Reference