papery

[ pey-puh-ree ]

adjective

1. like paper; thin or flimsy:

   the papery petals of the narcissus.

ˈpapery

/ ˈpeɪpərɪ /

adjective

1. like paper, esp in thinness, flimsiness, or dryness

Derived Forms

• ˈpaperiness, noun

Other Words From

• paper·i·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of papery¹

First recorded in 1620–30; paper + -y ¹

Example Sentences

The delicate wonton skins turned overly dry and papery after the deep fry, rendering the filling bland and forgettable, in stark contrast to the juicy dumplings found elsewhere at the table.

From Seattle Times

He rubs off the papery chaff with his fingers, parboils them and covers them with seasoned rice vinegar in a jar for 24 hours.

From Seattle Times

One after the other, we popped the papery pods and shook the seeds into our palms.

From Seattle Times

The walls are lined with papery things — sheets of newspaper and fragments from a map.

From New York Times

Raise and project your voice, he was instructed, so it doesn’t sound so papery.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chiffon
• decrepit
• feeble
• insubstantial
• rickety
• shaky
• tacky