# confetti

/kənˈfɛti/ (US) · /kənfˈɛti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/confetti
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. festive paper scraps

noun · CEFR B2

small pieces of coloured paper thrown at weddings or parties to celebrate.

For teachers: small bits of paper or metallic material thrown during celebrations, particularly weddings and parades. Uncountable in general usage.

- The guests threw colourful confetti over the couple as they left the church.
- After the championship victory, the streets were carpeted in a thick layer of red and white confetti launched from the rooftops.

### 2. sugar-coated almonds

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

traditional Italian sweets made of almonds covered in sugar, often given at weddings.

For teachers: sugar-coated almonds traditionally distributed at Italian weddings and other ceremonies. This sense reflects the word's Italian etymology.

- Each guest received a small bag of white confetti as a wedding favour.
- The reception tables were decorated with ornate boxes containing traditional Italian confetti, symbolising health and wealth for the newlyweds.

### 3. to scatter with paper

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to cover a place or someone with small pieces of paper.

For teachers: to scatter or disperse small fragments over a surface or person in a manner resembling confetti. Transitive use.

- The wind started to confetti the garden with fallen cherry blossom petals.
- The explosion of the document shredder managed to confetti the entire office floor with tiny strips of sensitive data.

## Examples

- The guests threw colourful confetti as the couple left the church.
- After the championship victory, the stadium was covered in a thick layer of gold and silver confetti.
- The cleaning crew spent hours sweeping up the remains of the parade, as the wind had scattered the tiny circles of confetti into every crack of the pavement.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.