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• yellow pages
  yellow pages

  plural noun

  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
  Yellow Pages

  plural noun

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

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.

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Yellow Pages British  

plural noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of yellow pages

First recorded in 1950–55

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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

Marianne Joan Elliott-Said found her stage name, Poly Styrene, running her finger through the yellow pages, she says in an on-camera interview circa 1976.

From New York Times • Feb. 3, 2022

It was tied into the advertising it was doing in the yellow pages.

From The Verge • Jun. 8, 2021

It started out as a simple program to track customer calls and marketing budgets, so their dads could figure out whether an ad in the yellow pages or on Google was worth their time.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2019

A few days later, Celaena turned the crisp yellow pages of a heavy tome, squirming in her seat.

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas

Related Words

• phone book