papers UK /ˈpeɪpəz/US /ˈpeɪpɚz/ noun[plural only]3 •Official documents or identification, as a passport.He lost his papers while travelling and had a hard time getting home. •A collection of documents, unpublished writing or correspondence in an archive or library collection. •cigarette papers"All right, if you happen to be over that way, just get me some fags. No, wait a shake, get me a tin of cigarette tobacco and some papers." — 1938