pamphlet

American  

[pam-flit] / ˈpæm flɪt /

noun

• pamphlets
  plural

1. a complete publication of generally less than 80 pages stitched or stapled together and usually having a paper cover.

2. a short treatise or essay, generally a controversial tract, on some subject of contemporary interest.

   a political pamphlet.

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pamphlet British  

/ ˈpæmflɪt /

noun

1. a brief publication generally having a paper cover; booklet

2. a brief treatise, often on a subject of current interest, published in pamphlet form

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pamphletary
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• pamphlets
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of pamphlet

1375–1425; late Middle English pamflet < Anglo-Latin panfletus, pamfletus, syncopated variant of Pamphiletus, diminutive of Medieval Latin Pamphilus, title of a 12th-century Latin comedy. See -et

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Explanation

A pamphlet is a little booklet with a soft (usually paper) cover that briefly addresses a particular subject of interest. The word pamphlet comes from Pamphilet, from a Latin love poem that was popular in the 12th century. “Pamphilus,” the original Latin title, means “loved by all.” When the printing press came along in the 15th century, pamphlets became a good way to publicize your ideas — they were relatively cheap and you could print lots of them. They’re still used in political campaigns, and sometimes armies distribute pamphlets when they’re trying to communicate with people across a wide area.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pamphlet pamphlets

It also has been selling trifolding smartphones that unfurl twice, like a pamphlet.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

This English philosopher, a former resident of the town, is seen by scholars as one of the US Founding Fathers on account of a pamphlet he penned in 1776 that argued for the cause.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

Here is more information from the Social Security Administration’s pamphlet on receiving benefits while outside of the U.S.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 7, 2026

It would never be mistaken for a dry lecture or a didactic pamphlet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026

But instead I’m staring at the pamphlet like an idiot.

From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Soon enough, Indigenous figures were appearing on Colonial American guns, pamphlets, and ships.

From Slate ● Jul. 3, 2026

Family vloggers have more reach on TikTok and Instagram than missionaries will ever get knocking on doors or handing out pamphlets on street corners.

From Salon ● May 10, 2026

"These communities have been receiving these pamphlets, soliciting them to join the extremist views and preaching by these militants," Isa Sanusi, head of Amnesty International in Nigeria, told the BBC's Newsday programme.

From BBC ● Feb. 6, 2026

Posters and pamphlets she has created can be found all over the city featuring the phrase: “Form a Crowd. Stay Loud.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2025

Adams read in the newspapers that Jefferson had compiled “a Magazine of slips of newspapers, and pamphlets, vilifying, calumniating and defaming you.”

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

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Related Words

• brochure
• bulletin
• flyer
• folder
• handout
• leaflet
• tract

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