# para

/ˈpɛɹə/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/para
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a paragraph

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short way of saying 'paragraph' when talking about a piece of writing.

For teachers: a clipping of 'paragraph', commonly used in editing, publishing, and academic contexts.

- You need to add more detail to the second para of your essay.
- The editor suggested moving the final para to the introduction to create a more compelling hook for the reader.

### 2. a paratrooper

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a soldier who is trained to jump out of planes using a parachute.

For teachers: a clipping of 'paratrooper', referring to military personnel trained in airborne operations.

- His grandfather was a para during the war and told stories about his first jump.
- The paras were deployed behind enemy lines under the cover of darkness to secure the bridgehead before the main force arrived.

### 3. a teaching assistant

noun · CEFR B2 · American English · Informal

a person who works in a school to help the main teacher and the students.

For teachers: a clipping of 'paraprofessional', specifically referring to an educational assistant who supports classroom teachers.

- The para helped the students with their reading while the teacher graded papers.
- The school district announced a budget increase to hire more paras for the special education department next semester.

### 4. a person with paraplegia

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a short, informal word for someone who cannot move the lower half of their body.

For teachers: a clipping of 'paraplegic', used to refer to an individual with paralysis of the lower body.

- After the accident, he became a para and started competing in wheelchair sports.
- The rehabilitation centre provides specialised equipment designed to help paras regain independence in their daily lives.

### 5. very drunk

adjective · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang

a slang word used in some places to mean extremely drunk.

For teachers: a slang term meaning highly intoxicated; likely a clipping of 'paralytic'.

- He was completely para by the end of the wedding party.
- The group arrived at the club already looking quite para, so the bouncer refused them entry at the door.

### 6. Ottoman currency

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a small unit of money used in the past in countries like Turkey.

For teachers: a former small denomination of currency in the Ottoman Empire and later in parts of the Balkans.

- The old merchant counted out every last para before handing over the silk.
- Historians noted that the value of the para fluctuated wildly during the final decades of the empire's economic dominance.

## Examples

- The teacher asked the para to help the students with their reading.
- After the lecture, the professor asked me to rewrite the third para of my essay for better clarity.
- While the lead surgeon handled the primary procedure, the surgical para ensured all secondary monitoring equipment remained calibrated throughout the operation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.