paperwork
- 01 B1 Intermediate
the physical documents or forms that you have to fill out or keep.
written documents, records, or forms required for administrative or legal purposes.
Simple“I spent the whole morning organizing the paperwork for our new apartment.”
In context“The legal team spent weeks reviewing the paperwork associated with the merger to ensure every clause was compliant with local regulations.”
UsageUncountable; do not use 'paperworks' for multiple documents.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
the time and effort you spend dealing with forms and records.
the routine clerical or administrative work involved in a task or profession.
Simple“Being a doctor involves a lot of paperwork, not just seeing patients.”
In context“The administrative burden of the new policy has increased the amount of paperwork for teachers, leaving them with less time for lesson planning.”
Teacher's tipOften carries a negative connotation of being tedious or unnecessary.
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
documents about a prisoner's crimes, often used to see if they are dangerous or an informant.
court documents or investigation reports detailing an inmate's criminal history, often used by other prisoners to determine their status.
Simple“The other inmates demanded to see his paperwork before they would trust him.”
In context“In the high-security wing, having 'clean' paperwork was essential for any new arrival hoping to avoid conflict with the existing population.”
UsageTypically used within the context of the American carceral system.
Teacher's tipThis is highly specialized slang; learners should be aware of its specific context in crime dramas or prison settings.
From paper + work.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.