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

Explanation

Any task you do that involves many pieces of paper (like paying bills or filling out forms) is called paperwork. Some jobs feel like they're nothing but paperwork. If your teacher does paperwork while your class takes an exam, he might grade papers, fill out applications for grant money, or organize the many sheets of paper he's accumulated over the semester. When paperwork was coined in the sixteenth century, it meant "things made of paper." By the late 1800s, it came to mean "work done on paper." Paperwork is less common today, as work is increasingly done electronically — it may be time for a new word!

Example Sentences

Knowing he would be on holiday on the date of the Senedd election, Ian said he sorted out the paperwork in advance but became worried when his postal vote did not arrive.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

In an interview, Urbina said she completed paperwork to be sent to U.S.

From Salon • May 2, 2026

Montejano filed paperwork for the position and listed her personal website on campaign forms.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

“We’ll handle the detailed process so you can focus on what’s important. Leave the headache and sea of confusing paperwork to us!” says the website for one such company, called Alumni Counseling Service.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

After the cabinet meeting ended, the president followed his usual routine: receiving visits from friends and job seekers, reading his mail, and catching up on paperwork.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Related Words

• filing