Paperback

/ˈpeɪpərbæk/
noun

A book with a soft cover, usually less expensive than versions with hard covers.

I bought a paperback version of the novel because it was cheaper.
Visual representation of "paperback" - A book with a soft cover, usually less expensive than versions with hard covers.

Often appears as...

  • paperback book
  • paperback edition
adjective

Referring to a type of book that has a soft cover.

I prefer reading paperback books because they are lighter and easier to carry.
Visual representation of "paperback" - Referring to a type of book that has a soft cover.

Often appears as...

  • paperback edition
  • paperback version
noun

A book with a soft cover, usually less expensive than versions with hard covers.

I bought a paperback version of the novel because it was cheaper.
Visual representation of "paperback" - A book with a soft cover, usually less expensive than versions with hard covers.

Often appears as...

  • paperback book
  • paperback edition
adjective

Referring to a type of book that has a soft cover.

I prefer reading paperback books because they are lighter and easier to carry.
Visual representation of "paperback" - Referring to a type of book that has a soft cover.

Often appears as...

  • paperback edition
  • paperback version
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "paperback"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Durability Difference

Paperbacks are less durable than hardcovers, so handle them with care to avoid damage.

Illustration for Durability Difference
My favorite paperback got all bent up in my backpack.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Travel Friendly

Because of their lighter weight, paperbacks are convenient for reading on the go.

Illustration for Travel Friendly
I always pack a paperback for my train commute.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Availability Delay

New books are often released in hardcover first, with the paperback version coming later.

Illustration for Availability Delay
The paperback won't be available until next year.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Durability Difference

Paperbacks are less durable than hardcovers, so handle them with care to avoid damage.

Illustration for Durability Difference
My favorite paperback got all bent up in my backpack.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Travel Friendly

Because of their lighter weight, paperbacks are convenient for reading on the go.

Illustration for Travel Friendly
I always pack a paperback for my train commute.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Availability Delay

New books are often released in hardcover first, with the paperback version coming later.

Illustration for Availability Delay
The paperback won't be available until next year.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Durability Difference

Paperbacks are less durable than hardcovers, so handle them with care to avoid damage.

Illustration for Durability Difference
My favorite paperback got all bent up in my backpack.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Travel Friendly

Because of their lighter weight, paperbacks are convenient for reading on the go.

Illustration for Travel Friendly
I always pack a paperback for my train commute.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Availability Delay

New books are often released in hardcover first, with the paperback version coming later.

Illustration for Availability Delay
The paperback won't be available until next year.
Visual representation of the word "Paperback"

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Video examples

How America's public...

The whole experience hit home for me when one of my girls, as she peeled open a crisp paperback said, "Ms. Sumner -- you know, I figured you bought these books, 'cause you teachers are always buying us stuff.

Video examples

How America's public...

The whole experience hit home for me when one of my girls, as she peeled open a crisp paperback said, "Ms. Sumner -- you know, I figured you bought these books, 'cause you teachers are always buying us stuff.

Example 1 of 1

Quote examples

Dawn Foster

British Journalist

I've read enough dreary campus novels to know more than I ever wanted to about the punctured Oxbridge academic psyche, and feel as if I've been through a mid-life crisis dozens of times, purely because I've foolishly grabbed a paperback by an author I've vaguely heard of.
Portrait of Dawn Foster

Quote examples

Glenn Danzig

American Musician

We probably put about four or five comic books out a year and probably about two or three art books and various trade paperbacks - maybe four or five of those a year - and that's what we do now.
Portrait of Glenn Danzig

Quote examples

John Sladek

American Author

Most publishers seem very reluctant to publish short story collections at all; they bring them out in paperback, often disguised as novels.
Portrait of John Sladek

Quote examples

Chuck Palahniuk

American Novelist

My favorite books to give or get are short story collections. And always paperbacks because they are easy to carry as you travel.
Portrait of Chuck Palahniuk

Quote examples

Harlan Ellison

American Writer

I write a kind of surreal fantasy, but they can't put 'surreal fantasy' on a paperback.
Portrait of Harlan Ellison

Quote examples

Clive Cussler

American Writer

When I started writing, I just hoped for a nice little paperback series.
Portrait of Clive Cussler

Quote examples

S. E. Hinton

American Writer

The Outsiders' died on the vine being sold as a drugstore paperback.
Portrait of S. E. Hinton

Quote examples

Sylvia Day

American Writer

Publishers should use the paperback side to leverage the ebook side.
Portrait of Sylvia Day

Quote examples

Maeve Binchy

Irish Novelist

I was just lucky I lived in this time of mass-market paperbacks.
Portrait of Maeve Binchy

Quote examples

Walter Jon Williams

American Writer

The mass-market paperback, for one, is too expensive.
Portrait of Walter Jon Williams

Quote examples

Dawn Foster

British Journalist

I've read enough dreary campus novels to know more than I ever wanted to about the punctured Oxbridge academic psyche, and feel as if I've been through a mid-life crisis dozens of times, purely because I've foolishly grabbed a paperback by an author I've vaguely heard of.
Portrait of Dawn Foster

Quote examples

Glenn Danzig

American Musician

We probably put about four or five comic books out a year and probably about two or three art books and various trade paperbacks - maybe four or five of those a year - and that's what we do now.
Portrait of Glenn Danzig

Quote examples

John Sladek

American Author

Most publishers seem very reluctant to publish short story collections at all; they bring them out in paperback, often disguised as novels.
Portrait of John Sladek

Quote examples

Chuck Palahniuk

American Novelist

My favorite books to give or get are short story collections. And always paperbacks because they are easy to carry as you travel.
Portrait of Chuck Palahniuk

Quote examples

Harlan Ellison

American Writer

I write a kind of surreal fantasy, but they can't put 'surreal fantasy' on a paperback.
Portrait of Harlan Ellison

Quote examples

Clive Cussler

American Writer

When I started writing, I just hoped for a nice little paperback series.
Portrait of Clive Cussler

Quote examples

S. E. Hinton

American Writer

The Outsiders' died on the vine being sold as a drugstore paperback.
Portrait of S. E. Hinton

Quote examples

Sylvia Day

American Writer

Publishers should use the paperback side to leverage the ebook side.
Portrait of Sylvia Day

Quote examples

Maeve Binchy

Irish Novelist

I was just lucky I lived in this time of mass-market paperbacks.
Portrait of Maeve Binchy

Quote examples

Walter Jon Williams

American Writer

The mass-market paperback, for one, is too expensive.
Portrait of Walter Jon Williams
Example 1 of 10
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