Definition of "paperwork" in English

noun

1. (uncountable) Routine work involving written documents.

   • do paperwork

2. (uncountable) Written documents.

3. (uncountable, hyperbolic, also figurative) Excessive paperwork, busy work, red tape.

4. (uncountable, US, prison slang) Court documents or pre-sentencing investigation reports detailing the prisoner's criminal history (usually in the context of discerning whether an inmate has been charged for sex-related offenses or is likely to be an informant).

   • to have bad paperwork

5. (countable) A work in paper.