yellow pages

plural noun

, (often initial capital letters)

1. a classified telephone directory or section of a directory, listing subscribers by the type of business or service they offer, usually printed on yellow paper.

Yellow Pages

plural noun

1. a classified telephone directory, often printed on yellow paper, that lists subscribers by the business or service provided

Word History and Origins

Origin of yellow pages¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

I would have had to consult the Yellow Pages, or more likely, call Information — something my parents frowned upon because of the toll.

From Los Angeles Times

He was inspired by seeing the starry sky, but the title came as he spotted the Yellow Pages across the room.

From BBC

There were photos stashed everywhere, many tucked into the stacks of Yellow Pages phone books in Wally’s bedroom closet, warped and stained from water damage.

From Los Angeles Times

Phillips recalled that as color-coded script revisions came in each week, she always looked forward to the yellow pages labeled “Lear polish” in the upper-right hand corner to indicate changes he had personally made to the script.

From Los Angeles Times

I had already made up my mind that looking in the yellow pages cold for a horse broker was Very Wrong and that I wouldn’t buy a horse from this guy if he gave them away.

From Literature

Related Words

• phone book