paperwork

American  

[pey-per-wurk] / ˈpeɪ pərˌwɜrk /

noun

1. written or clerical work, as records or reports, forming a necessary but often a routine and secondary part of some work or job.

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paperwork British  

/ ˈpeɪpəˌwɜːk /

noun

1. clerical work, such as the completion of forms or the writing of reports or letters

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Usage

What does paperwork mean? Paperwork is the task of filling out forms, especially when they’re literally on paper.More generally, paperwork refers to routine clerical and administrative work like recordkeeping and processing documents (regardless of whether they’re on paper).Paperwork can be done as part of one’s job (the boring part), or in any setting that involves filling out forms, such as buying a house or a car or applying for a job. Doing so is often referred to as filling out (the) paperwork, doing (the) paperwork, or completing (the) paperwork.Paperwork is a collective noun, meaning it appears in a singular form but refers to such tasks as a group.Example: Applying for a job with the government required her to fill out an incredible amount of paperwork about her family history, education, and travel activity.

Etymology

Origin of paperwork

First recorded in 1580–90; paper + work

Example Sentences

Candidates have until noon on Saturday to file their paperwork.

From Los Angeles Times

Adam Miller, co-founder of Better Angels, a nonprofit focused on preventing homelessness and building affordable housing, filed paperwork on Wednesday to run against Mayor Karen Bass in the June 2 primary election.

From Los Angeles Times

A police document seen by BBC Scotland News suggests that three months after June was killed, police recovered her passport and other paperwork from Renteria's parents.

From BBC

His aunt talked a lot about money, how much the boy was costing her, the hassle of filling out the paperwork to get some of the money reimbursed.

From Literature

I filled out some paperwork, changed into a backless gown, lay on a bed covered in a warm blanket and waited my turn by softly singing rancheras and Beatles songs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• filing