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Definition of paperweight

paperweight

/ˈpeɪ.pɚˌweɪt/
pa · per · weight
Plural:paperweights
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paperweight Lexical Profile

paperweight Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, relatively heavy object placed on top of loose papers to keep them from scattering or blowing away.

Example

"She kept a decorative glass paperweight shaped like an apple on her desk."

2

An object that has become completely useless or non-functional, particularly a broken electronic device.

Example

"After the failed system update corrupted the firmware, his expensive new tablet became nothing more than a giant paperweight."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for paperweight

• Nearby Words

papermaking
papermill
paperware
paperweight
paperwhite
paperwork
paperworker

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the mid-19th century, formed as a compound of 'paper' and 'weight', referring directly to its practical function of weighing down loose documents.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Paperweight. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/paperweight
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