wallpaper

American  

[wawl-pey-per] / ˈwɔlˌpeɪ pər /

noun

1. paper, usually with printed decorative patterns in color, for pasting on and covering the walls or ceilings of rooms, hallways, etc.

2. any fabric, foil, vinyl material, etc., used as a wall or ceiling covering.

3. Computers. a design or picture in the background of the primary display screen of a graphical user interface.

   Personalize your tablet by changing the wallpaper.

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verb (used with object)

1. to put wallpaper on (a wall, ceiling, etc.) or to furnish (a room, house, etc.) with wallpaper.

wallpaper British  

/ ˈwɔːlˌpeɪpə /

noun

1. paper usually printed or embossed with designs for pasting onto walls and ceilings

2. 1. something pleasant but bland which serves as an unobtrusive background

   2. ( as modifier )

      wallpaper music

3. computing a graphics file that can be displayed in certain applications behind or around the main dialogue boxes, working display areas, etc, for decoration

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verb

1. to cover (a surface) with wallpaper

Etymology

Origin of wallpaper

First recorded in 1820–30; wall + paper

Example Sentences

She has this fantastic wallpaper that she did up the walls, across the ceiling, and turned into drapes.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Adams says that when they began stripping away wooden walls added sometime in the 1970s, they found the Bird Cage’s original wallpaper, a scarlet-red strip that surrounds the space with flower-adorned bird cages.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

I decorated our little library with a lovely pink crushed-velvet couch and wallpaper peppered with squirrels, purple clover and bees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Broadly ignored for three years and 50 weeks, it registers in the wider public attention when the Olympics comes round, but as little more than wallpaper filling the gaps between the more exciting winter sports.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

She took him back up the stairs, down a hall, and into a big empty room with blue wallpaper.

From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry