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paper

US //ˈpeɪpɝ// UK //pˈeɪpɐ// pa·per
  1. 1 writing material (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    thin material made from wood or cloth used for writing, printing, or drawing.

    a thin sheet material produced by the compression of cellulose fibres, typically used as a substrate for writing, printing, or packaging.

    Example

    He took a clean sheet of paper to start writing his letter.

    Example

    The artist experimented with various weights of handmade paper to see how the different textures absorbed the heavy ink.

    Usage

    Uncountable when referring to the material in general; countable when referring to a single sheet.
  2. 2 newspaper (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a set of large printed sheets containing news, published every day or week.

    a daily or weekly publication containing news, advertisements, and correspondence.

    Example

    I usually read the paper while I have my morning coffee.

    Example

    Local papers have struggled to maintain their circulation figures as digital news platforms become the primary source of information for younger demographics.

    Usage

    Often used with the definite article 'the' in a generic sense.
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  1. 3 academic essay (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Academic

    a formal piece of writing about a particular subject for school or a scientific journal.

    a formal written composition, often reporting original research or scholarly analysis, intended for publication or academic assessment.

    Example

    She has to finish her history paper by Monday morning.

    Example

    The professor published a groundbreaking paper on climate change that challenged several long-held assumptions in the field of meteorology.
  2. 4 exam questions (n.)
    B1 Intermediate British English

    the set of questions you have to answer in an exam.

    a set of examination questions to be answered in a single timed session.

    Example

    The chemistry paper was much harder than I expected.

    Example

    Candidates are instructed not to turn over the exam paper until the invigilator signals the start of the session.
  3. 5 money (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Informal Finance

    a slang word for money, especially cash.

    a slang term for currency or financial wealth.

    Example

    He's only doing that job because he wants to make some serious paper.

    Example

    In certain urban subcultures, the pursuit of paper is a central theme in both music and daily life.
  4. 6 made of paper (adj.)
    A1 Beginner

    made out of paper material.

    constructed or consisting of paper.

    Example

    We used paper plates for the picnic to make cleaning up easier.

    Example

    The architect designed a temporary pavilion using recycled paper tubes as the primary structural support.

  5. 7 only on documents (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    existing only in writing or on a plan, but not in real life.

    existing in theory or on a document but not in reality or practice.

    Example

    The team looks good on paper, but they haven't won a game yet.

    Example

    While the merger resulted in a significant paper profit, the company's actual cash flow remained dangerously low.
  6. 8 to apply wallpaper (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to put decorative paper on the walls of a room.

    to cover a surface, typically an interior wall, with decorative paper.

    Example

    We decided to paper the bedroom instead of painting it.

    Example

    The renovators spent the weekend learning how to paper the hallway without leaving visible seams between the patterned sheets.

    Usage

    Often used as 'paper over' in a figurative sense to mean hiding a problem.
Origin

From Middle English paper, from Anglo-Norman paper, from Old Catalan paper, borrowed from Latin papȳrus (and given the Catalan suffix -er), from Ancient Greek πάπυρος (pápuros).

Idioms6 entries

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