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paperwork
/ ˈpeɪpəˌwɜːk /
noun
- clerical work, such as the completion of forms or the writing of reports or letters
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Word History and Origins
Origin of paperwork1
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Example Sentences
The city still has time to send the paperwork along, and Gloria expects that SDPD will.
Instead, he says that almost none of their peer founders will file securities paperwork, and thus, if they do follow the law, they would be at a competitive disadvantage.
Either way, a government job will undoubtedly create a cascade of conflict-of-interest issues and mountains of paperwork for the very active investor.
Alsobrooks encouraged residents who fall into the 1C category — which includes those 65 and older — to fill out registration paperwork, but she said it could be weeks before they begin receiving vaccinations.
As you prepare your tax paperwork, here are some things to expect.
When he was first incarcerated, he says some sort of paperwork snafu had him imprisoned under two different, but similar, names.
The arresting officer identified him a “black” on the paperwork.
The paperwork was spotless: he had died in transit, the conjunction of a weak heart and long trip.
A federal Home Affordable Refinance Program paperwork T.P.ing of our residence.
He also expanded on the need to get the average American out from under the blizzard of paperwork that the tax season brings.
For your information, gangster, all officers do a tour of duty on paperwork before they're assigned to their permanent branch.
He takes care of most things down there, paperwork and stuff like that.
But as far as paperwork, I can't bring anything out specifically.
And then I waited around for ten days until the company finished the paperwork involved in buying that claim from me.
In connection with company paperwork, it may be remarked that now-a-days no company office is complete without a typewriter.
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Related Words
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More About Paperwork
What does paperwork mean?
Paperwork is the task of filling out forms, especially when they’re literally on paper.
More generally, paperwork refers to routine clerical and administrative work like recordkeeping and processing documents (regardless of whether they’re on paper).
Paperwork can be done as part of one’s job (the boring part), or in any setting that involves filling out forms, such as buying a house or a car or applying for a job. Doing so is often referred to as filling out (the) paperwork, doing (the) paperwork, or completing (the) paperwork.
Paperwork is a collective noun, meaning it appears in a singular form but refers to such tasks as a group.
Example: Applying for a job with the government required her to fill out an incredible amount of paperwork about her family history, education, and travel activity.
Where does paperwork come from?
The word paperwork has been used since the late 1500s (to refer to things like literary works), but the first records of it being used to refer to the work of filling out documents and such come from the 1860s. Other words are formed using the word work in a similar way, such as yardwork and drudgework (which a lot of people might use as a synonym for paperwork).
Everyone hates paperwork. It takes a lot of time and it’s tedious. But most people have to do it, at least once in a while. A lot of the time, paperwork is part of your job (especially the administrative part of your job that doesn’t have much to do with getting your actual job done). But there are a lot of other situations in which you have to fill out paperwork: job applications, tax forms, registration papers.
More of these processes are becoming paperless—meaning they’re done without using actual paper—but that doesn’t mean the paperwork is going away. People still often refer to such tasks as paperwork.
Did you know ... ?
What are some synonyms for paperwork?
- filing
- administrative work
What are some words that share a root or word element with paperwork?
- paper
- work
- drudgework
- busywork
- yardwork
- paperback
What are some words that often get used in discussing paperwork?
How is paperwork used in real life?
Life has a lot of paperwork, and the word is used in all kinds of contexts that involve a lot of forms, especially legal documents. When people discuss paperwork, it’s often to complain about there being too much.
Ariana Grande is turning her ongoing "Sweetener" tour into a voter-registration drive, partnering with the nonprofit org. HeadCount to get concertgoers to complete the paperwork that makes them eligible to cast ballots in the 2020 presidential race. https://t.co/N4txoOqs3n
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 22, 2019
There is absolutely no reason I should have to fill out 3 pages of FMLA paperwork so a parent can stay home with a new baby.
They had a baby. Literally all you need to know. And you don't need me to sign it.
— Chad Hayes, MD 😷 (@chadhayesmd) May 15, 2020
Being a human involves too much paperwork.
— the Real Clem Shady (@cpsemple) October 13, 2019
Try using paperwork!
Which of the following words is MOST likely to be used to describe paperwork?
A. interesting
B. fun
C. tedious
D. enjoyable
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