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

At the time, they didn’t have enough time to file paperwork, so they opted for another wedding, as reported by Vogue.

From MarketWatch

It said they had "unacceptably poor and obstructive returns processes" and accused the countries of refusing to process paperwork and requiring individuals to sign their own documents – effectively allowing them to block their own deportations.

From Barron's

The Home Office had said that returns from the DRC, Angola and Namibia were being frustrated - with paperwork not being processed or people being required to sign their own documents - giving them an effective veto.

From BBC

“Funding your trust with bank and brokerage accounts generally requires new account paperwork in the name of the trust, as well as signed authorization to retitle or transfer the asset,” Klipinger says.

From MarketWatch

Many get to their destinations after buyers complete government paperwork.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• filing