confetti
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /kənfˈɛti/
US
- /kənˈfɛti/
Description
- Tiny colored bits tossed to celebrate
- small paper/foil pieces
- festive shower
- cheerful mess
Confetti isn't just for parties—it's a little burst of joy you can see! Imagine the scene: a bride and groom walking through a shower of shimmering confetti as they leave their wedding, or fans celebrating a winning goal with colorful paper raining down. The word itself comes from the Italian confetto, meaning "a sugared almond"—people originally threw sweets at celebrations!
Confetti can be made of paper, metallic foil, or even flower petals. It's meant to make the moment look bright and festive. While it can look like a mess, it's a happy mess—a sign of excitement and celebration. You might say a parade is "filled with confetti," or that someone "showered the stage with confetti."
Confetti refers to small pieces of colored paper, metallic foil, or other materials thrown into the air during celebrations like weddings, parades, festivals, and victories. It's a visual representation of joy, excitement, and festivity, creating a vibrant and memorable atmosphere.
The history of confetti is surprisingly sweet! The tradition began in Italy centuries ago when people threw sugared almonds (confetti) at each other to celebrate special occasions. Over time, these sweets were replaced with paper scraps – much more affordable and easier to produce.
Today, confetti comes in a huge variety of colors, shapes, and materials. You can find traditional paper confetti, shimmering metallic foil confetti, biodegradable flower petal confetti for eco-friendly celebrations, and even themed confetti shaped like hearts, stars, or characters.
The act of throwing confetti is often symbolic – it's a way to release pent-up energy and express happiness. It's used to mark milestones, honor achievements, and create a sense of shared joy. You might describe a scene as "a blizzard of confetti," or say someone "was lost in a sea of confetti." While cleaning up can be a chore, the colorful remnants are often a cherished reminder of a special moment.
So whether it's raining down on newlyweds, celebrating a championship win, or simply adding sparkle to a party, confetti is more than just paper – it's a symbol of celebration and joy.
Examples
- 1
Party aftermath
There was confetti all over the dance floor after midnight.
- 2
Wedding celebration
The kids threw confetti as the newlyweds came out of the church.
- 3
Stage effects
When the singer walked onstage, two confetti cannons went off.
Phrase
confetti cannon
a tube that shoots confetti into the air
- 4
Figurative use
During the campaign, promises were being thrown around like confetti.
Phrase
like confetti
in large amounts, often too easily
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- confettinoun