Word
paperwork
Phoneticspa·per·work, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpeɪpɝˌwɝk/
UK/pˈeɪpəwˌɜːk/
Definitions
01official documents
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the physical documents or forms that you have to fill out or keep.
n. written documents, records, or forms required for administrative or legal purposes.
“I spent the whole morning organizing the paperwork for our new apartment.”
“The legal team spent weeks reviewing the paperwork associated with the merger to ensure every clause was compliant with local regulations.”
Usage
Uncountable; do not use 'paperworks' for multiple documents.
02clerical work
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the time and effort you spend dealing with forms and records.
n. the routine clerical or administrative work involved in a task or profession.
“Being a doctor involves a lot of paperwork, not just seeing patients.”
“The administrative burden of the new policy has increased the amount of paperwork for teachers, leaving them with less time for lesson planning.”
Teaching tip
Often carries a negative connotation of being tedious or unnecessary.
Synonyms
03prison records
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Law American English · Slang
n. documents about a prisoner's crimes, often used to see if they are dangerous or an informant.
n. court documents or investigation reports detailing an inmate's criminal history, often used by other prisoners to determine their status.
“The other inmates demanded to see his paperwork before they would trust him.”
“In the high-security wing, having 'clean' paperwork was essential for any new arrival hoping to avoid conflict with the existing population.”
Usage
Typically used within the context of the American carceral system.
Teaching tip
This is highly specialized slang; learners should be aware of its specific context in crime dramas or prison settings.
Etymology
From paper + work.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/paperwork