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• yellow pages
  yellow pages

  plural noun

  a classified telephone directory or section of a directory, listing subscribers by the type of business or service they offer, usually printed on yellow paper.
• Yellow Pages
  Yellow Pages

  plural noun

  a classified telephone directory, often printed on yellow paper, that lists subscribers by the business or service provided

yellow pages

American  

plural noun

(often initial capital letters)

1. a classified telephone directory or section of a directory, listing subscribers by the type of business or service they offer, usually printed on yellow paper.

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Yellow Pages British  

plural noun

1. a classified telephone directory, often printed on yellow paper, that lists subscribers by the business or service provided

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Etymology

Origin of yellow pages

First recorded in 1950–55

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How does yellow-pages compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• white pages vs. yellow pages

Example Sentences

Facebook didn’t buy yellow pages or local newspapers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

“One day I picked up 42 handwritten yellow pages from the previous seven days,” Steve said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2023

In the 1960s, he started to dine at Chinese restaurants listed on the local yellow pages.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2021

Once they summon their courage, though, the gravest infraction they can commit starts with leafing through the yellow pages, in search of a nursing home.

From New York Times • Oct. 19, 2021

But breakdancing wasn’t like ballet; it wasn’t something you could look up in the yellow pages.

From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi

Related Words

• phone book