yellow pages

American  

plural noun

(often initial capital letters)

1. a classified telephone directory or section of a directory, listing subscribers by the type of business or service they offer, usually printed on yellow paper.

---

Yellow Pages British  

plural noun

1. a classified telephone directory, often printed on yellow paper, that lists subscribers by the business or service provided

---

Etymology

Origin of yellow pages

First recorded in 1950–55

Compare meaning

How does yellow-pages compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• white pages vs. yellow pages

Example Sentences

Facebook didn’t buy yellow pages or local newspapers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

“One day I picked up 42 handwritten yellow pages from the previous seven days,” Steve said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2023

In the 1960s, he started to dine at Chinese restaurants listed on the local yellow pages.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2021

I looked up places in the yellow pages, and walked into the Fencers Club in New York.

From New York Times • Jul. 29, 2021

There was something here, some truth buried in these brittle yellow pages, if only he could see it.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• phone book