paperpa·per /ˈpeɪpə-ər/ noun1[uncountableU] material in the form of thin sheets used for writing things on, wrapping things etcplants that make chemicals for the paper industry
→ listing paper2[countableC] a newspaperMany daily papers have a financial section.
The Hollywood Reporter is a trade paper (=one that reports on a particular industry) for the film industry.
3on paper a)if you put ideas or information on paper, you write them downWe need to get these ideas down on paper.
b)if something seems to be true on paper, it seems to be true as an idea, but may not be true in a real situationIt’s a nice idea on paper, but you’ll never get it to work.
4[uncountableU] (also financial paper)FINANCE SECURITIES (=bonds etc) that can be traded on financial markets, rather than cash, and the CERTIFICATEs (=documents) relating to themMitsubishi is to issue (=make available and sell) as much as 200 billion yen of paper.
There are times when people are doubtful of the viability of the financial paper they hold.
→ bank paper → bearer paper → commercial paper → fine paper5papers [plural] documents used by a person or organization in their workThe hotel filed papers (=officially sent them to the authorities) three weeks ago, seeking various building permits.
According tocourt papers, the judge’s decision was based on the bank’s failure to comply with banking laws.
→ ship's papers6[countableC] an official document you need in order to do somethingOnce all the necessary papers have been signed, the house is yours.
→ working papers