confectionery

American  

[kuhn-fek-shuh-ner-ee] / kənˈfɛk ʃəˌnɛr i /

noun

plural

confectioneries

1. candy or other confections collectively.

2. the work or business of a confectioner, who makes or sells confections.

3. a place where confections are sold; a confectioner's shop.

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confectionery British  

/ kənˈfɛkʃənərɪ /

noun

1. sweets and other confections collectively

2. the art or business of a confectioner

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Etymology

Origin of confectionery

First recorded in 1535–45; confection + -ery

Explanation

Confectionery is a fancy word for candy and other sweet treats, the place where they're sold, and the art of making them. If you're craving sour gummy worms or chocolate-covered pistachios, you can satisfy your sweet tooth by visiting a confectionery. Confectionery comes from confection, another word for a sugary treat. The candy aisle, cupcake bakery, and artisan chocolate shop can all be called confectioneries. Some chefs study confectionery in culinary school. You can also use the word to mean sweets. For some people, Halloween is all about dressing up in fabulous costumes, but for others, it's a perfect occasion to collect bags full of confectionery!

Example Sentences

The company said fourth-quarter profit declines for its North America Confectionery segment were driven partially by higher commodity and tariff costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

Confectionery historian Alex Hutchinson said many confectioners were lowering the amount of cocoa ingredients in their chocolate in favour of cheaper alternatives.

From BBC • Oct. 20, 2025

Confectionery creativity has made its way back to the United States, where pastry chefs are looking past cloyingly sweet treats smothered in chocolate sauce and ooey-gooey cookies that send you into a sugar coma.

From Salon • Jul. 13, 2025

Since he was working in what was then the country’s candy-manufacturing center, he shifted gears and founded what would become the New England Confectionery Co., or Necco.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 7, 2023

"Wrong the first time," I said; "the three sweetest words in the world are Bennett's Fresh Confectionery."

From Roy Blakely, Pathfinder by Fitzhugh, Percy Keese