A paperback, also known as a softcover or softback, is a type of book characterized by a thick paper or paperboard cover, and often held together with glue rather than stitches or staples. ... Paperback editions of books are issued when a publisher decides to release a book in a low-cost format.

What does softcover mean for books?

: bound in flexible covers : not bound in hard covers specifically : paperback softcover books.

What do you mean by paperback?

a book bound in a flexible paper cover, often a lower-priced edition of a hardcover book. adjective. (of a book) bound in a flexible paper cover: a paperback edition of Orwell's novel.