Document vs. Paper: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 27, 2023
A document is recorded information, while paper is a thin material used for writing, printing, or packaging.
Key Differences
A document refers to recorded information or data that serves as evidence or provides knowledge, usually in digital or physical format. Documents can encompass various mediums, such as text, images, or multimedia and serve to convey information, provide proof, or facilitate understanding. On the other hand, paper is a thin, flexible material made from wood pulp, used predominantly for writing, drawing, printing, or packaging. Paper is a medium on which documents can be created, making it a physical entity.
In the context of official and legal use, the term document is often associated with formal records, contracts, agreements, or certificates, vital for various professional or governmental processes. Documents serve as tangible evidence and may be stored or archived for reference or validation purposes. Contrarily, paper is ubiquitously used for informal and formal purposes, including creating notes, sketches, academic writings, or newspaper publications. In such cases, paper is the material substrate that holds the inscribed information or artwork.
From a digital standpoint, a document is also associated with electronic files containing text, images, spreadsheets, etc. Digital documents are created, stored, and shared electronically and can be accessed via computers or mobile devices. Conversely, paper is primarily a tangible, physical object, not existing in a digital form, although the information inscribed on paper can be digitized and converted into a digital document.
The term paper can also refer to an essay or academic article, especially in an educational or research context. In this scenario, a paper is essentially a type of document that presents arguments, research findings, or discussions. This highlights how the word "paper" can signify both a physical object and a form of documentation, depending on the context. Meanwhile, the term "document," whether in electronic or physical form, consistently denotes recorded information serving a specific purpose.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Recorded information or data.
Thin, flexible material made from wood pulp.
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Context
Formal records, contracts, digital files.
Writing, drawing, printing, packaging.
Tangibility
Can be physical or digital.
Primarily physical.
Function
Conveys information, provides proof.
Medium for inscribing information or artwork.
Alternate Meaning
N/A
Can also refer to an academic article or essay.
Document and Paper Definitions
Document
A piece of written, printed, or electronic matter that provides information.
The document outlined the terms and conditions of the contract.
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Paper
A thin sheet material used for writing or printing.
Please write your name on a piece of paper.
Document
An official record that serves as evidence or proof.
The birth certificate is a vital document for identity verification.
Paper
A publication printed on sheets of paper, like a newspaper.
I read the news in the paper every morning.
Document
An item recording details, transactions, or activities.
Please file this document appropriately for future reference.
Paper
A document detailing research findings, proposals, or discussions.
The scientist published a groundbreaking paper on quantum mechanics.
Document
A file containing data such as text, images, or spreadsheets.
I will send the document to your email address shortly.
Paper
A material made of cellulose pulp, derived mainly from wood, rags, and certain grasses, processed into flexible sheets or rolls by deposit from an aqueous suspension, and used chiefly for writing, printing, drawing, wrapping, and covering walls.
Document
Any substantive piece of work used for reference or research.
The historical document sheds light on ancient civilizations.
Paper
A single sheet of this material.
Document
A written or printed paper that bears the original, official, or legal form of something and can be used to furnish decisive evidence or information.
Paper
A formal written composition intended to be published, presented, or read aloud; a scholarly essay or treatise.
Document
Something, such as a recording or a photograph, that can be used to furnish evidence or information.
Paper
A piece of written work for school; a report or theme.
Document
A writing that contains information.
Paper
Often papers An official document, especially one establishing the identity of the bearer.
Document
(Computers) A piece of work created with an application, as with a word processor.
Paper
Papers A collection of letters, diaries, and other writings, especially by one person
The Madison papers.
Document
(Computers) A computer file that is not an executable file and contains data for use by applications.
Paper
Short-term debt instruments, especially commercial paper.
Document
Something, especially a material substance such as a coin bearing a revealing symbol or mark, that serves as proof or evidence.
Paper
A newspaper.
Document
To furnish with a document or documents.
Paper
Wallpaper.
Document
To methodically record the details of
"I had thought long and logically about ... how to document the patterns of dolphin behavior" (Diana Reiss).
Paper
A wrapper made of paper, often with its contents
A paper of pins.
Document
To support (an assertion or claim, for example) with evidence or decisive information.
Paper
A free pass to a theater.
Document
To support (statements in a book, for example) with written references or citations; annotate.
Paper
The audience admitted with free passes.
Document
An original or official paper used as the basis, proof, or support of anything else, including any writing, book, or other instrument conveying information pertinent to such proof or support.
Paper
To cover, wrap, or line with paper.
Document
Any material substance on which the information is represented by writing.
Paper
To cover with wallpaper.
Document
(computing) A file that contains text.
Paper
To supply with paper.
Document
(obsolete) That which is taught or authoritatively set forth; precept; instruction; dogma.
Paper
(Slang) To issue free passes for (a theater, for example).
Document
(obsolete) An example for instruction or warning.
Paper
To construct (something) in haste and with little forethought
Papered together a new coalition of political convenience.
Document
To record in documents.
He documented each step of the process as he did it, which was good when the investigation occurred.
Paper
Made of paper.
Document
To furnish with documents or papers necessary to establish facts or give information.
A ship should be documented according to the directions of law.
Paper
Resembling paper, as in thinness or flimsiness.
Document
That which is taught or authoritatively set forth; precept; instruction; dogma.
Learners should not be too much crowded with a heap or multitude of documents or ideas at one time.
Paper
Of or relating to clerical work
Paper duties.
Document
An example for instruction or warning.
They were forth with stoned to death, as a document to others.
Paper
Existing only in printed or written form
Paper profits.
A paper corporation.
Document
An original or official paper relied upon as the basis, proof, or support of anything else; - in its most extended sense, including any writing, book, or other instrument conveying information in the case; any material substance on which the thoughts of men are represented by any species of conventional mark or symbol.
Saint Luke . . . collected them from such documents and testimonies as he . . . judged to be authentic.
Paper
Planned but not realized; theoretical.
Document
To teach; to school.
I am finely documented by my own daughter.
Paper
A sheet material used for writing on or printing on (or as a non-waterproof container), usually made by draining cellulose fibres from a suspension in water.
Document
To furnish with documents or papers necessary to establish facts or give information; as, a a ship should be documented according to the directions of law.
Paper
A newspaper or anything used as such (such as a newsletter or listing magazine).
Document
Writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
Paper
(uncountable) Wallpaper.
Document
Anything serving as a representation of a person's thinking by means of symbolic marks
Paper
(uncountable) Wrapping paper.
Document
A written account of ownership or obligation
Paper
(rock paper scissors) An open hand (a handshape resembling a sheet of paper), that beats rock and loses to scissors. It loses to lizard and beats Spock in rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock.
Document
(computer science) a computer file that contains text (and possibly formatting instructions) using 7-bit ASCII characters
Paper
A written document, generally shorter than a book (white paper, term paper), in particular one written for the Government.
Document
Record in detail;
The parents documented every step of their child's development
Paper
A written document that reports scientific or academic research and is usually subjected to peer review before publication in a scientific journal (as a journal article or the manuscript for one) or in the proceedings of a scientific or academic meeting (such as a conference, workshop, or symposium).
Document
Support or supply with references;
Can you document your claims?
Paper
A scholastic essay.
Paper
(Britain) A set of examination questions to be answered at one session.
Paper
(slang) Money.
Paper
Any financial assets other than specie.
Paper
(New Zealand) A university course. en
Paper
A paper packet containing a quantity of items.
A paper of pins, tacks, opium, etc.
Paper
A medicinal preparation spread upon paper, intended for external application.
Cantharides paper
Paper
A substance resembling paper secreted by certain invertebrates as protection for their nests and eggs.
Paper
(dated) Free passes of admission to a theatre, etc.
Paper
The people admitted by free passes.
Paper
Made of paper.
Paper bag; paper plane
Paper
Insubstantial from the weakness of common paper
Paper tiger; paper gangster
Paper
Planned from plans being drawn up on paper
Paper rocket; paper engine
Paper
Having a title that is merely official, or given by courtesy or convention.
A paper baron; a paper lord
Paper
(transitive) To apply paper to.
To paper the hallway walls
Paper
(transitive) To document; to memorialize.
After they reached an agreement, their staffs papered it up.
Paper
(transitive) To fill (a theatre or other paid event) with complimentary seats.
Paper
(transitive) To submit official papers to (a law court, etc.).
Paper
(transitive) To give public notice (typically by displaying posters) that a person is wanted by the police or other authority.
Paper
(transitive) To sandpaper.
Paper
(transitive) To enfold in paper.
Paper
To paste the endpapers and flyleaves at the beginning and end of a book before fitting it into its covers.
Paper
A substance in the form of thin sheets or leaves intended to be written or printed on, or to be used in wrapping. It is made of rags, straw, bark, wood, or other fibrous material, which is first reduced to pulp, then molded, pressed, and dried.
Paper
A sheet, leaf, or piece of such substance.
Paper
A printed or written instrument; a document, essay, or the like; a writing; as, a paper read before a scientific society.
They brought a paper to me to be signed.
Paper
A printed sheet appearing periodically; a newspaper; a journal; as, a daily paper.
Paper
Negotiable evidences of indebtedness; notes; bills of exchange, and the like; as, the bank holds a large amount of his paper.
Paper
Decorated hangings or coverings for walls, made of paper. See Paper hangings, below.
Paper
A paper containing (usually) a definite quantity; as, a paper of pins, tacks, opium, etc.
Paper
A medicinal preparation spread upon paper, intended for external application; as, cantharides paper.
Paper
Documents establishing a person's identity, or status, or attesting to some right, such as the right to drive a vehicle; as, the border guard asked for his papers.
Paper
Of or pertaining to paper; made of paper; resembling paper.
Paper
Existing only on paper; unsubstantial; as, a paper box; a paper army; a paper tiger.
Paper
To cover or line with paper, especially with wallpaper; to furnish with paper hangings; to wallpaper; as, to paper a room or a house.
Paper
To fold or inclose in paper.
Paper
To put on paper; to make a memorandum of.
Paper
A material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
Paper
An essay (especially one written as an assignment);
He got an A on his composition
Paper
A daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements;
He read his newspaper at breakfast
Paper
A scholarly article describing the results of observations or stating hypotheses;
He has written many scientific papers
Paper
Medium for written communication;
The notion of an office running without paper is absurd
Paper
A business firm that publishes newspapers;
Murdoch owns many newspapers
Paper
A newspaper as a physical object;
When it began to rain he covered his head with a newspaper
Paper
Cover with paper;
Paper the box
Paper
Cover with wallpaper
Paper
Made of paper;
They wore paper hats at the party
Paper
A medium for packaging or artistic creations.
This gift is wrapped in colorful paper.
Paper
An essay or article representing academic or journalistic work.
I have to write a paper on climate change for my science class.
FAQs
Is paper always used for writing?
No, paper can also be used for drawing, printing, packaging, etc.
Are all documents made of paper?
No, documents can be digital or paper-based.
Can paper refer to academic writings?
Yes, paper can refer to essays or articles presenting academic work.
Are digital files considered documents?
Yes, digital files containing information are considered documents.
Can documents be edited?
Yes, many documents, especially digital ones, can be edited.
Are documents always formal?
While documents often have a formal connotation, they can be informal as well.
Does paper have different types?
Yes, paper comes in various types, like glossy, matte, textured, etc.
Is every piece of written paper a document?
Not necessarily, as not every piece of written paper serves as a record or conveys formal information.
Do documents need to be stored securely?
Yes, especially if they contain sensitive or important information.
Can a paper be digital?
When referring to academic articles, "paper" can exist in a digital format.
Can a document contain images?
Yes, documents can contain images, text, and other types of data.
Do both document and paper have plural forms?
Yes, "documents" and "papers" are the plural forms.
Is paper biodegradable?
Yes, paper is biodegradable and breaks down over time.
Can the information on paper be transferred to a digital document?
Yes, information on paper can be digitized and stored as a digital document.
Can paper be recycled?
Yes, many types of paper can be recycled.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
