Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

paperback

/ˈpeɪ.pɚˌbæk/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.62 in modern English

Syllables: pa-per-back
IPA: /ˈpeɪ.pɚˌbæk/

21

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A book with flexible binding.

adj

Having flexible binding.

verb

To issue or publish (a book) in a paperback edition.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Max was anticipating paperbacking The Bodley Head's books in house rather than licensing the paperback rights to a third party, like Penguin, which reduced his royalties and might eventually lose him authors to vertical publishers."

Etymology

From paper + back, a shortening of the older term paper-backed book.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈpeɪ.pɚˌbæk/
British English: /ˈpeɪ.pə.bæk/

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

paperbacks (plural) paperbacks (present, singular) paperbacking (participle, present) paperbacked (participle, past) paperbacked (past)

Derived Forms

paperbacker

Phrases

trade paperback

Frequently Paired Words

hardback pocketbook softcover

Synonyms

pocketbook livre de poche paperbacked paperbound softcovered paperback book paper-back book softback book softback soft-cover book soft-cover

Questions

How do you pronounce paperback?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈpeɪ.pɚˌbæk/.
What does paperback mean?: A book with flexible binding.
Where does paperback come from?: From paper + back, a shortening of the older term paper-backed book.

How to pronounce paperback

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “paperback”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈpeɪ.pɚˌbæk/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “paperback”.
Repeat and practice — Say “paperback” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.