sandpaper

1 of 2

noun

sand·​pa·​per ˈsan(d)-ˌpā-pər 

: paper covered on one side with abrasive material (such as sand) glued fast and used for smoothing and polishing

sandpapery

ˈsan(d)-ˌpā-p(ə-)rē 

adjective

sandpaper

2 of 2

verb

sandpapered; sandpapering; sandpapers

transitive verb

: to rub with or as if with sandpaper

Examples of sandpaper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cory Sutton and Summer Gifford, both 30 years old, with three kids and a 2009 GMC Sierra pickup truck, had run out of sandpaper. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025

An article for the New York Times archives suggests using course sandpaper to scratch through the layer of paint protecting the wallpaper. —Anna Kaufman, The Tennessean, 20 Oct. 2024

Verb

English speakers floundered when talking about touch (in response to sandpaper, felt, rubber, etc.), but speakers of certain other languages—such as Dogul Dom, in Mali, and Siwu, in Ghana—tended to agree in their descriptions. —Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024

Both Lowe's and HGTV recommend a scoring tool or sandpaper to perforate the paper slightly so the water solution has easier access to the adhesive. —Anna Kaufman, The Tennessean, 20 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1755, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sandpaper

1 of 2 noun

sand·​pa·​per -ˌpā-pər 

: paper with rough material (as sand) glued on one side and used for smoothing and polishing

sandpaper

2 of 2 verb

: to rub with or as if with sandpaper