papers

PAY-purz/ˈpeɪpɚz/UKPAY-puhz/ˈpeɪpəz/

5 meanings of papers

1
more than onenoun
Plural of paper. Use this form when talking about more than one paper.
She stacked the papers neatly on her desk.
The teacher handed back our papers after grading them.
UsageFor the material in general, say some paper or a sheet of paper. Papers can mean essays, reports, documents or newspapers.
2
ID documentsnounplural
Official documents you carry to show who you are or what you are allowed to do, such as a passport.
Like a ticket that proves you are allowed to be somewhere.
The border guard asked to see our papers before letting us cross.
She kept her travel papers in a safe pocket of her bag.
UsageWe usually say your papers or his papers. Papers are in order when they are correct.
Similardocuments, documentation, credentials, ID, identification
Note
3
personal archivenounplural
Letters, notes, and documents of a person or group, kept together in a library or archive.
Like a box of someone's letters and notes saved so others can read them later.
Her papers were donated to the university library after she died.
Researchers spent months studying the senator's papers.
UsageUsually with a person's name or words showing whose they are: her papers, the senator's papers.
Similararchives, documents, records
Note

Less common meanings

4
rolling sheetsnouncountableplural
Thin sheets used to roll your own cigarettes by hand.
Like a thin wrapper that holds the tobacco together.
He bought a pack of papers and a pouch of tobacco.
Can I borrow some papers? I want to roll a cigarette before the bus comes.
UsageIf people might not understand, say cigarette papers or rolling papers.
Note
5
covers wallsverb
Third-person singular simple present of paper. Use it with he, she, or it.
She papers the spare bedroom every few years.
He papers the walls himself instead of hiring help.
UsageUsually followed by the room or wall. Papers over a problem means hides it.

papers is a form of paper

paper, noun: A thin, flat material made from wood fibers, used for writing, printing, or wrapping things. Full entry

Forms: paperpapers plural
Spelling: paper → papers: add -s
Sound: The ending sounds like /z/.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of papers apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.