The Printer Is Out of Paper: Meaning and Usage

Meaning 1：out of paper (The printer is out of paper)

The printer is out of paper 🔊

/ðə ˈprɪntər ɪz aʊt əv ˈpeɪpər/

phrase

A common sentence used to state that a printer has no paper left and needs to be refilled.

out of paper 🔊

➕

/aʊt əv ˈpeɪpər/

phrase

A sentence stating that a printer has no paper remaining and requires refilling before it can resume printing.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Combines 'printer' (from Latin 'primarius' via 'print'), 'out of' (Old English 'ūt of'), and 'paper' (from Latin 'papyrus').

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine your printer's screen flashing 'OUT OF PAPER' and you rushing to the supply closet to grab a ream.

📖 Example

I need to print my homework, but the printer is out of paper again! 🔊 I need to print my homework, but the printer is out of paper again!

🔗 Collocations

run out of paper – to have no paper left

out of paper error – an error message indicating no paper in the printer

refill the paper tray – to add paper to the printer's tray

🔄 Synonyms

printer has no paper (phrase) – a direct statement that the printer lacks paper

paper tray is empty (phrase) – indicates the paper supply in the tray is depleted

printer needs paper (phrase) – a request or statement that the printer requires paper

🚫 Antonyms

the printer has paper (phrase) – states that paper is present in the printer

paper tray is full (phrase) – indicates the tray is completely filled with paper

printer is loaded with paper (phrase) – describes the printer being ready with sufficient paper

📖 Cultural Story

This phrase became common with the rise of office printers in the late 20th century, often appearing as an error message on printer displays, leading to its widespread use in everyday office communication.