paperback

noun

pa·​per·​back ˈpā-pər-ˌbak How to pronounce paperback (audio)
Synonyms of paperbacknext
: a book with a flexible paper binding
paperback adjective
or less commonly paperbacked
ˈpā-pər-ˌbakt How to pronounce paperback (audio)

Examples of paperback in a Sentence

The store sells both paperbacks and hardcovers. The book is sold only in paperback.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As a testament to its popularity, Better Than the Movies has been appeared on the New York Times monthly YA paperback list for 44 consecutive months and its weekly YA hardcover list for 20 weeks. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 July 2026 Memphis Moon is available internationally in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle editions. — William Jones, USA Today, 30 July 2026 Along the narrow hallway, bookshelves burst with first editions of John Updike, battered Stephen Kings, graphic novels, dime-store paperbacks, board games, books about mythology, children’s fairy tales, and Warhammer rule sets. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 July 2026 The exterior slip pockets are super convenient for storing things like paperback books or weekly planners, and plenty of shoppers provided pictures proving that the side pockets easily fit a water bottle or tumbler. — Natalie Labarbera, InStyle, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for paperback

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paperback was in 1843

Rhymes for paperback

See All Rhymes for paperback

Browse Nearby Words

paper
paperback
paper-bag bush
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Cite this Entry

“Paperback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paperback. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

paperback

noun
pa·​per·​back ˈpä-pər-ˌbak How to pronounce paperback (audio)
: a book with a flexible paper binding
paperback adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on paperback

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for paperback

Nglish: Translation of paperback for Spanish Speakers

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