Office English — English Vocabulary
10 essential words about office english in the live bank, with meanings and examples. Open any word for its full page.
paperwork /ˈpeɪpərwɜːrk/ noun B1
The activity of filling in forms, writing reports, and handling the documents that are part of a job; the documents themselves.
Example: The job involves a lot of paperwork.
photocopy /ˈfəʊtəʊkɒpi/ noun / verb B1
A copy of a paper document made by a machine that photographs it; to make such a copy.
Example: Make a photocopy of your passport.
filing /ˈfaɪlɪŋ/ noun B1
The job of putting documents away in files and folders in an organized system; also officially submitting a document (filing a complaint, filing taxes).
Example: The filing took all afternoon.
stamp /stæmp/ noun B1
A small piece of paper with a picture and value that you stick on a letter or package to pay for sending it (postage stamp); also a tool that prints a date or mark on documents, and its mark.
Example: Put a stamp on the envelope.
drawer /drɔːr/ noun B1
A box-shaped container that slides in and out of a desk or piece of furniture, used for storing things.
Example: The pens are in the top drawer.
clip /klɪp/ noun B1
A small metal or plastic object used to hold papers together (paper clip); also a short piece of film or video, and to cut or fasten quickly.
Example: Hold the pages with a clip.
envelope /ˈenvələʊp/ noun B1
A flat paper container used for sending letters and documents in the mail.
Example: Write the address on the envelope.
calendar /ˈkælɪndər/ noun B1
A system of organizing days, weeks, and months of the year; a printed table of them, or the app/schedule where you record appointments.
Example: Check the calendar for July.
paycheck /ˈpeɪtʃek/ noun B1
The check or payment a worker receives for their work, usually every week or two weeks (in American usage), and the amount itself.
Example: His paycheck arrives on Fridays.
cubicle /ˈkjuːbɪkəl/ noun B1
A small workspace in a big office, separated from others by low walls on three sides, with a desk inside.
Example: Her cubicle is near the window.