paperwork

noun

pa·​per·​work ˈpā-pər-ˌwərk 

: routine clerical or recordkeeping work often incidental to a more important task

Examples of paperwork in a Sentence

She failed to file the paperwork on time.

The lawyer had us fill in the paperwork for the mortgage.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wildfire victims were facing heaps of bureaucratic paperwork, such as insurance claims, loan applications or temporary housing agreements, likely executed while sitting at a computer. —Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025

And much of it could be due to insufficient or inaccurate paperwork rather than actual fraud or abuse. —Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

Anzalone was further charged with first-degree offering a false instrument for filing for allegedly falsifying paperwork required after use of force incidents. —Christine Pelisek, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025

The story of the artwork played out through tons and tons of paperwork. —Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paperwork

• bodywork
• handiwork
• ironwork
• latticework
• masterwork
• metalwork
• needlework
• openwork
• overwork
• subnetwork
• artwork
• beadwork

Kids Definition

paperwork

noun

pa·​per·​work -ˌwərk 

: routine office or record-keeping work