What does papery mean?
“Papery” describes something that looks or feels like paper, especially when it is thin, dry, stiff, or brittle. The word is particularly common when describing skin that has lost moisture or elasticity, as well as leaves, food, photographs, and old documents. It conveys texture and condition more strongly than color or shape, so a surface can be papery because it feels like paper rather than because it resembles a sheet visually. In medical and cosmetic descriptions, “papery skin” usually suggests marked dryness and fragility, although it is a descriptive term rather than a diagnosis. The word is understandable in everyday English and is also formal enough for literary, scientific, and professional writing.
adjectiveResembling paper in texture, appearance, or dryness, especially thin, stiff, or brittle material. It is often used to describe skin, pages, or dried plant matter.
- Resembling paper in texture, dryness, thinness, or brittleness
- Thin, dry, and stiff, especially when describing skin or organic material
"The old photographs had become thin and papery with age."
"Her skin looked papery after years of exposure to the sun."
"The pages of the manuscript were dry and papery, making them delicate to handle."
Papery is often the perfect word for skin or leaves that have dried until they feel as thin and brittle as a page.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does papery come from?
“Papery” was formed in English by adding the suffix “-y” to “paper,” giving it the meaning “like paper” or “resembling paper.” “Paper” comes through Old French “papier” from Latin “papyrus,” which in turn comes from Greek “papyros,” referring to the plant and writing material used in the ancient Mediterranean. The same ancient root underlies related forms such as “papyrus” and “papyriform.”
Related word forms
How papery is actually used
The adjective is common in both formal and informal English. It is especially frequent in descriptions of skin, leaves, food, and old paper; when describing food, it may suggest excessive dryness or a lack of moisture.
Easily confused with papery
“Paper” is the material or object itself, while “papery” is an adjective describing something that resembles paper in texture, dryness, or thinness.