paperboy

American  

[pey-per-boi] / ˈpeɪ pərˌbɔɪ /

noun

1. a youth or man who sells newspapers on the street or delivers them to homes; newsboy.

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paperboy British  

/ ˈpeɪpəˌbɔɪ /

noun

1. a boy employed to deliver newspapers, magazines, etc

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Other Word Forms

• papergirl
  noun

Etymology

Origin of paperboy

First recorded in 1875–80; paper + boy

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

paperboy

At seven o'clock on a Monday morning, a village paperboy is busily doing his rounds, his high-vis vest and yellow bag standing out against a grey blanket of fog.

From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2026

To help support his passions, Leonard worked multiple odd jobs, including teriyaki delivery person, window washer, paperboy, glass cutter and climbing guide.

From Salon ● Nov. 19, 2022

Mr. McGrory, a former paperboy for The Globe, joined the newsroom in 1989 and had stints as a White House correspondent, columnist and metro editor.

From New York Times ● Sep. 7, 2022

Young McLean was a paperboy - “every paper I’d deliver” - and adored Elvis, Gene Vincent, Bo Diddley but especially Holly, whose death deeply affected him.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 18, 2022

Another haint, this one a teenage boy in overalls and a paperboy hat, passed through us.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas