English Reference

Word

PAP

Phoneticspap

US/ˈpæp/

UK/pˈæp/

Definition

n. boring or silly ideas that have no real value. You use this word to describe writing or talk that is too simple or emotional in a way that feels fake.

n. worthless or trivial ideas, writing, or talk; often specifically refers to overly sentimental or simplistic content. Informal and often derogatory in tone.

Examples

“I am tired of reading this political pap.”

“The magazine used to feature serious investigative journalism, but now it is filled with celebrity pap and gossip.”

“The candidate's speech was dismissed by critics as mere populist pap, designed to soothe the audience without offering any concrete policy solutions to the ongoing economic crisis.”

Examples

simple

“I am tired of reading this political pap.”

contextual

“The magazine used to feature serious investigative journalism, but now it is filled with celebrity pap and gossip.”

complex

“The candidate's speech was dismissed by critics as mere populist pap, designed to soothe the audience without offering any concrete policy solutions to the ongoing economic crisis.”

Real-World Examples

“The bus had been returning from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and had been carrying pilgrims from Poland's southernmost region of Podkarpacie, according to Polish news agency PAP.”
BBC News · 16 Aug 2026

Domains

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This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

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