Definition

A type of book that has a soft cover made of paper, making it lighter and more flexible than a hardcover book.

Example

I prefer reading paperback books because they are easier to carry around.

Conversation

Have you read that new paperback by that popular author?

Not yet, but I've heard it's really good!

I just finished it, and I loved how easy it was to carry around since it’s a paperback.

That's a plus! I’ll have to grab a copy soon.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Paperback → It is formed from "paper" (from Latin *papyrus*, meaning a writing material made from the pith of the papyrus plant) and "back" (from Old English *bæc*, meaning the rear or reverse side). The word "paperback" refers to a book that has a flexible cover made of paper, as opposed to a hard cover.

Memory Tip

Think of 'paper' as the material used for writing and 'back' as the cover of the book. A paperback is a book with a flexible paper cover.

Visually Confused Words