Phrase guide

dead tree

adj · noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Made of or pertaining to paper, especially as opposed to a digital alternative.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • 2005, Shmuel (Seymour J.) Metz, Dead tree?, alt.linux.suse, http://groups.google.com/group/alt.os.linux.suse/msg/0ad17bd29005f471?dmode=source It used to be that SuSE Linux was available in personal and professional; editions, and that the Pro edition came with additional dead tree documentation.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A quantity of paper; a collection of paper such as a book or newspaper.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • You can't grep dead trees.
  • 2003 May 16: yoodaw elder{:}child, Re: kjv #1? consider, alt.christnet, http://groups.google.com/group/alt.christnet.bible/msg/425b9a41581e51a9?dmode=source come out of this wicked, evil world and her seductive, dogmatic, heretical religious systems, all of whom seek to prove their righteousness by manipulating colored marks written on a dead tree.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A tree that is still standing, but no longer alive. (compare: log, stump)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: paperi- — made of or pertaining to paper
  • Finnish: paperinen — made of or pertaining to paper