pasteboard

[ peyst-bawrd, -bohrd ]

noun

1. a stiff, firm board made of sheets of paper pasted or layers of paper pulp pressed together.
2. Older Slang. a card, as a visiting card or a playing card.
3. Older Slang. a ticket, as for the theater.

adjective

1. made of pasteboard.
2. unsubstantial, flimsy, or sham.

pasteboard

/ ˈpeɪstˌbɔːd /

noun

1. 1. a stiff board formed from layers of paper or pulp pasted together, esp as used in bookbinding
   2. ( as modifier )

      a pasteboard book cover

2. slang.
   a card or ticket

adjective

1. flimsy; insubstantial
2. sham; fake

Other Words From

• pasteboardy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pasteboard¹

First recorded in 1540–50; paste + board

Example Sentences

We adjourned to a nearby restaurant, the Raw Bar Blu, and commandeered a table under the low pasteboard ceiling.

From The Daily Beast

Mrs. Newbolt was cutting splints for her new sun-bonnet out of a pasteboard box.

From Project Gutenberg

One of Yung Pak's favourite toys was a wooden jumping-jack with a pasteboard tongue.

From Project Gutenberg

She has about as much intention of eloping with him as a little girl might have of eloping with a pasteboard Jim Crow.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a Chinese custom to use, instead of pillows, little stools of bamboo or strong pasteboard.

From Project Gutenberg

I take the pasteboard, return it to my case, and walk slowly out of the reception-room.

From Project Gutenberg