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Definition of paperwhite

paperwhite

/ˈpeɪ.pɚˌwaɪt/
pa · per · white
Plural:paperwhites
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paperwhite Lexical Profile

paperwhite Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A widely cultivated, highly fragrant species of daffodil (Narcissus papyraceus) that produces clusters of small white flowers and is frequently forced to bloom indoors during winter.

Example

"She arranged a pot of blooming paperwhites on the windowsill to bring a touch of spring into the cold winter room."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for paperwhite

Word Nuance & Usage

In modern usage, the word is often capitalized when referring to the popular e-reader device (Kindle Paperwhite), while remaining lowercase when referring to the fragrant winter-blooming flower.

• Nearby Words

papermill
paperware
paperweight
paperwhite
paperwork
paperworker
papery

Word Origin & Etymology

A compound of 'paper' and 'white', originally coined in the late 19th century to describe the stark white color and delicate, papery texture of the flower's petals.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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