paperwork

noun

pa·​per·​work ˈpā-pər-ˌwərk How to pronounce paperwork (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Vincent DiPietro, who signed paperwork on behalf of the entity, did not respond to a request for comment. Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025 Pinpoint where time is lost—scheduling, paperwork, or client communication. Dan Ringo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Though his motives are often as murky as the foul air in his office, Lamb seems to be keeping the nation safe by burying his team in pointless paperwork and isolating them from actual spywork – except when things have gotten so bleak that the Slow Horses can’t possibly make things worse. Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025 Their status as a married couple ended in November 2006 — nearly two years after Richards first filed paperwork — leaving them free to wed other people. Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for paperwork

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paperwork was in 1899

Cite this Entry

“Paperwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paperwork. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

paperwork

noun
pa·​per·​work -ˌwərk How to pronounce paperwork (audio)
: routine office or record-keeping work

More from Merriam-Webster on paperwork

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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