6 N‑COUNT A paper is a long, formal piece of writing about an academic subject. □ He just published a paper in the journal Nature, analyzing the fires.
7 N‑COUNT A paper is an essay written by a student. [mainly AM ] □ …the ten common errors that appear most frequently in student papers.
8 → see also term paper
9 N‑COUNT A paper is a part of a written examination in which you answer a number of questions in a particular period of time. □ We sat each paper in the Hall.
10 N‑COUNT A paper prepared by a government or a committee is a report on a question they have been considering or a set of proposals for changes in the law. □ [+ on ] …a new government paper on climate change.
11 → see also Green Paper , White Paper
12 ADJ [ADJ n] Paper agreements, qualifications, or profits are ones that are stated by official documents to exist, although they may not really be effective or useful. □ We're looking for people who have experience rather than paper qualifications.
13 VERB If you paper a wall, you put wallpaper on it. □ [V n] We papered all four bedrooms. □ [V -ed] The room was strange, the walls half papered, half painted.
14 PHRASE If you put your thoughts down on paper , you write them down. □ It is important to get something down on paper.
15 PHRASE If something seems to be the case on paper , it seems to be the case from what you read or hear about it, but it may not really be the case. □ On paper, their country is a multi-party democracy.
16 PHRASE If you say that a promise, an agreement, or a guarantee is not worth the paper it's written on , you mean that although it has been written down and seems to be official, it is in fact worthless because what has been promised will not be done. [DISAPPROVAL ]
▸ paper over PHRASAL VERB If people paper over a disagreement between them, they find a temporary solution to it in order to give the impression that things are going well. □ [V P n] …his determination to paper over the cracks in his party and avoid confrontation.
paper|back /pe I pə r bæk/ (paperbacks ) N‑COUNT [oft in N ] A paperback is a book with a thin cardboard or paper cover. Compare hardback . □ She said she would buy the book when it comes out in paperback.
paper|boy /pe I pə r bɔ I / (paperboys ) also paper boy N‑COUNT A paperboy is a boy who delivers newspapers to people's homes.
pa |per clip (paper clips ) also paper-clip , paperclip N‑COUNT A paper clip is a small piece of bent wire that is used to fasten papers together.
paper|girl /pe I pə r gɜː r l/ (papergirls ) also paper girl N‑COUNT A papergirl is a girl who delivers newspapers to people's homes.
pa |per knife (paper knives ) also paper-knife N‑COUNT A paper knife is a tool shaped like a knife, which is used for opening envelopes.
paper|less /pe I pə r ləs/ ADJ [ADJ n] Paperless is used to describe business or office work which is done by computer or phone, rather than by writing things down. □ Paperless trading can save time and money. □ …the paperless office.
pa |per mo n|ey N‑UNCOUNT Paper money is money which is made of paper. Paper money is usually worth more than coins.
pa |per round (paper rounds ) N‑COUNT A paper round is a job of delivering newspapers to houses along a particular route. Paper rounds are usually done by children before or after school. [BRIT ] in AM, use paper route
pa |per route (paper routes ) N‑COUNT A paper route is the same as a paper round . [AM ]
pa |per shop (paper shops ) N‑COUNT A paper shop is a shop that sells newspapers and magazines, and also things such as tobacco, sweets, and cards. [BRIT ]
pa per-thi n also paper thin ADJ If something is paper-thin , it is very thin. □ Cut the onion into paper-thin slices.
pa |per ti |ger (paper tigers ) N‑COUNT If you say that an institution, a country, or a person is a paper tiger , you mean that although they seem powerful they do not really have any power.
pa |per trail N‑SING Documents which provide evidence of someone's activities can be referred to as a paper trail . [mainly AM ] □ Criminals are very reluctant to leave a paper trail.
paper|weight /pe I pə r we I t/ (paperweights ) N‑COUNT A paperweight is a small heavy object which you place on papers to prevent them from being disturbed or blown away.
paper|work /pe I pə r wɜː r k/ N‑UNCOUNT Paperwork is the routine part of a job which involves writing or dealing with letters, reports, and records. □ A pile of paperwork demanded my attention.
pa|pery /pe I pəri/ ADJ Something that is papery is thin and dry like paper. □ Leave each garlic clove in its papery skin.
papier-mâché /pæ pie I mæ ʃe I , [AM ] pe I pə r məʃe I / N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Papier-mâché is a mixture of pieces of paper and glue. It can be made, while still damp, into objects such as bowls, ornaments, and models. □ …papier-mâché bowls.
pa|pist /pe I p I st/ (papists ) also Papist N‑COUNT Some Protestants refer to Catholics as Papists . [OFFENSIVE ]
pap|ri|ka /pəpriː kə, pæ pr I kə/ N‑UNCOUNT Paprika is a red powder used for flavouring meat and other food.
pa p smea r (pap smears ) also pap test N‑COUNT A pap smear is a medical test in which cells are taken from a woman's cervix and analysed to see if any cancer cells are present. [AM ] in BRIT, use smear