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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

paper
paper birch
paperback
paperweight
paperwhite
paperworker
paphiopedilum

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.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Paperweight. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/paperweight
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