rice paper: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to informal in culinary contexts; technical/specialist in arts/crafts contexts.
Quick answer
What does “rice paper” mean?
A thin, edible paper made from the pith of the rice-paper tree or from rice flour, used in Asian cuisines for wrapping food.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thin, edible paper made from the pith of the rice-paper tree or from rice flour, used in Asian cuisines for wrapping food.
A thin, translucent paper of various compositions (including wood pulp) used for arts and crafts, often in projects like decoupage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage between regions. Both use the term for culinary and craft contexts.
Connotations
Primarily associated with East and Southeast Asian cuisine (e.g., Vietnamese spring rolls). In crafts, connotes delicate, decorative work.
Frequency
Equally understood in both varieties, though frequency may be higher in areas with greater exposure to Asian cuisine or arts communities.
Grammar
How to Use “rice paper” in a Sentence
make [spring rolls] with rice papersoak the rice paper in wateruse rice paper for decoupageVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rice paper” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I need to rice-paper the surface for that decoupage effect.
- He carefully rice-papered the delicate sketch.
American English
- She's going to rice-paper the lampshade.
- The artist rice-papered the collage.
adverb
British English
- [No established adverbial use.]
American English
- [No established adverbial use.]
adjective
British English
- The rice-paper sheet tore easily.
- It has a rice-paper texture.
American English
- This is a rice-paper craft.
- The rice-paper wrapper is ready.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in food import/export or art supply catalogues.
Academic
Rare; may appear in cultural studies of food or material science papers on paper properties.
Everyday
Common in cooking instructions and craft project discussions.
Technical
Used in culinary arts and specific craft/hobby terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rice paper”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rice paper”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rice paper”
- Using 'rice paper' to refer to parchment paper for baking.
- Assuming all 'rice paper' is edible (some craft varieties are not).
- Pronouncing it as 'rise paper'.
- Forgetting to soak culinary rice paper before use.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Rice paper for culinary use is edible. Rice paper for arts and crafts is often made from other plant fibres and is not intended for consumption.
They are often the same thing. 'Spring roll wrapper' specifies its use, while 'rice paper' describes the material. However, some spring roll wrappers are made from wheat flour.
No. Rice paper is not heat-resistant like baking parchment. It burns easily. It is used for cold wraps or fried items, but not as a lining for baking trays.
It is called 'paper' due to its thin, sheet-like appearance and traditional production method, which resembles papermaking. The name highlights its physical form, not its function.
A thin, edible paper made from the pith of the rice-paper tree or from rice flour, used in Asian cuisines for wrapping food.
Rice paper is usually neutral to informal in culinary contexts; technical/specialist in arts/crafts contexts. in register.
Rice paper: in British English it is pronounced /ˈraɪs ˌpeɪpə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈraɪs ˌpeɪpər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific compound noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Rice paper wraps my rice and spice nicely' — it's the paper for food, made from or named for rice.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDIBILITY IS PAPER-LIKE THINNESS; CRAFT DELICACY IS CULINARY DELICACY.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a primary use for rice paper?