paperback

[ pey-per-bak ]
/ ˈpeɪ pərˌbæk /

noun

a book bound in a flexible paper cover, often a lower-priced edition of a hardcover book.

adjective

(of a book) bound in a flexible paper cover: a paperback edition of Orwell's novel.
of, for, or pertaining to paperbacks: a paperback bookstore.
Also softcover; pa·per·bound [pey-per-bound] /ˈpeɪ pərˌbaʊnd/, softbound (for defs 1, 2).
Compare hardcover.

Origin of paperback

First recorded in 1895–1900; paper + back1

Example sentences from the Web for paperback

British Dictionary definitions for paperback

paperback
/ (ˈpeɪpəˌbæk) /

noun

a book or edition with covers made of flexible card, sold relatively cheaply Compare hardback

adjective Also: paperbound, soft-cover

of or denoting a paperback or publication of paperbacks

verb (tr)

to publish in paperback

Derived forms of paperback

paperbacker, noun