What does paste mean?
Paste is a versatile word whose central meaning involves a sticky or moist substance used to join materials, although it also names smooth preparations such as toothpaste, tomato paste, and curry paste. As a verb, it describes applying such an adhesive, but in computing it commonly means transferring copied text or images into a document or application. These senses share an idea of attaching or inserting one thing onto another. The electronic use is now familiar in phrases such as “copy and paste,” while the older adhesive meaning remains common in crafts, packaging, and everyday household tasks. The word also has an informal British sense meaning to strike someone forcefully. Its history connects it to Latin pasta, a term for dough or paste, which also underlies words such as pastry and pasty. The result is a word that ranges from practical household materials to familiar computer commands and energetic informal description.
A thick, sticky substance used to attach one surface to another. The word can also refer to a smooth, moist preparation such as toothpaste or tomato paste.
"Apply a thin layer of paste to the back of the label."
In culinary contexts, “paste” often means a concentrated fruit, vegetable, or seasoned mixture.
To attach something by using paste, or to insert copied text, images, or other material into a document or digital application. In British informal use, it can also mean to strike or hit someone forcefully.
"The user copied the paragraph and pasted it into the email."
The forcefulness sense is informal and particularly associated with British English.
The plural is used for different kinds or quantities of paste, and for separate portions or applications of an adhesive.
"The workshop stocked several coloured pastes for the art project."
The word paste began in the world of dough and cooking: its name traces through French to Latin pasta, meaning a dough or paste, the same root behind pastry and pasta.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does paste come from?
The English word comes through Old French paste from Latin pasta, meaning “dough” or “paste.” The same broad root underlies pastry, pasty, pasta, and pâté. English initially used the word for a prepared sticky or doughy substance, and its modern adhesive sense developed naturally from that culinary origin.
Related word forms
How paste is actually used
The electronic meaning is standard in computing and office software, while “paste” meaning to hit forcefully is especially associated with British informal speech. In cooking, the noun often names a concentrated, smooth preparation such as tomato paste or curry paste.
Easily confused with paste
A paste is a sticky substance or an action involving adhesion, whereas a pasty is a folded pastry filled with meat, vegetables, or other ingredients.