paperback
/ˈpeɪ.pə.bæk/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: paperbacks · paperbacking · paperbacked
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A book with flexible binding.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Having flexible binding.
Adjective
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
To issue or publish (a book) in a paperback edition.
Verb
Examples
Max was anticipating paperbacking The Bodley Head's books in house rather than licensing the paperback rights to a third party, like Penguin, which reduced his royalties and might eventually lose him authors to vertical publishers.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “paperback” mean?
A book with flexible binding.
Is “paperback” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.