paperback
n. countable A2 Elementary US //ˈpeɪpɝˌbæk// UK //pˈeɪpəbˌæk// pa·per·back
n. a book with a flexible paper cover rather than a hard, stiff one. These books are usually cheaper and lighter than hardback versions.
n. a book bound with a flexible paper or cardstock cover. Often used to distinguish mass-market editions from more expensive cloth-bound or hardback versions.
I prefer buying the paperback because it is easier to carry.
The novel was first released as a hardback, but the paperback edition came out six months later for a lower price.
While collectors often seek out first-edition hardbacks for their durability and aesthetic value, the average reader typically waits for the paperback release due to its portability and affordability.
From paper + back, a shortening of the older term paper-backed book.