sandpaper

American  

[sand-pey-per] / ˈsændˌpeɪ pər /

noun

1. strong paper coated with a layer of sand or other abrasive, used for smoothing or polishing.

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verb (used with object)

1. to smooth or polish with or as if with sandpaper.

sandpaper British  

/ ˈsændˌpeɪpə /

noun

1. (formerly) a strong paper coated with sand for smoothing and polishing

2. a common name for glasspaper

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verb

1. (tr) to polish or grind (a surface) with or as if with sandpaper

Etymology

Origin of sandpaper

First recorded in 1815–25; sand + paper

Example Sentences

I’d lie in the dark, typing “vintage Junya Watanabe skirt” into my Depop search bar and scroll until my eyes felt like they were made of sandpaper.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2025

“Hard Truths” is sublime and soft in the way that a rough surface is smoothed to the touch by sandpaper.

From Salon • Jan. 10, 2025

The voice of Michael McDonald has been compared to velvet, silk and sandpaper, melted chocolate and last year, by a besotted 11-year-old girl, an angel.

From New York Times • May 9, 2024

You’ll want clamps of various sizes to hold pieces together while drilling or assembling, along with sandpaper in a range of grits.

From Seattle Times • May 3, 2024

He smells of glue and sandpaper and Gauloises bleues.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr