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Definition of paperwhite
paperwhite
/ˈpeɪ.pɚˌwaɪt/
pa · per · white
Plural:paperwhites
paperwhite Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
paperwhite Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• 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 paperwhiteWord 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
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 Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/paperwhite