cellophane

[ sel-uh-feyn ]

/ ˈsɛl əˌfeɪn /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: cellophane / cellophanes on Thesaurus.com

noun

a transparent, paperlike product of viscose, impervious to moisture, germs, etc., used to wrap and package food, tobacco, etc.

adjective

of, made of, or resembling cellophane.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of cellophane

First recorded in 1910–15; formerly trademark

Words nearby cellophane

cell-mediated immunity, cell membrane, cello, cellobiose, celloidin, cellophane, cellophane noodle, Cellosolve, cell pack, cell phone, cell plate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cellophane in a sentence

As I exhaled, a string of bubbles tickled up my face, growing into bulbous, cellophane-like jellyfish by the time they reached the surface, 60 feet above.
Inhale, Exhale. Sitting with Grief on the Red Sea Floor.|jversteegh|January 10, 2022|Outside Online
While the reversible hydrogel is a true glue, it’s less sticky than cellophane tape.
New glue offers to turn any small walking robot into Spider-Man|Shi En Kim|August 18, 2021|Science News For Students
His colleague, Tom Rosenthal, stood behind, tempting and drawing the canines closer by waving a piece of cellophane wrapper from a pack of cigarettes that they might take for food.
The Ethics of Wildlife Photography|Mike Koshmrl|April 14, 2021|Outside Online
His uniform was too tight and was wrapped around his doughy body like cellophane.
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The buckwheat with pork fat and boiled potatoes is served in cellophane bowls and is fresh and tasty.
Slouching Towards Maidan: An American Hair-Trader Reflects On Ukraine’s Protests|Vijai Maheshwari|December 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The 46-look collection consisted of drop-waist skirts, cellophane cocktail dresses, and translucent and tinsel fabrics.
Marc Jacobs's Entire Spring / Summer 2012 Collection Stolen|Isabel Wilkinson|November 16, 2011|DAILY BEAST
A sweet-looking guy auditions by singing “Mr. Cellophane” from Chicago; what kind of kid sings “Mr. Cellophane”?
The Best New Show on TV|Caryn James|May 18, 2009|DAILY BEAST
She reminded me of a great loaf of white bread, plumped down on the sofa in its cellophane wrapping.
I'm Not The Sort of Man Who Goes To Prostitutes|Louis Bernières|October 18, 2008|DAILY BEAST
Surprisingly enough, some industries such as the tobacco industry and the rayon and cellophane industries expanded considerably.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
The cellophane came unsealed with surprising ease: so did the revenue stamp.
The Mercenaries|Henry Beam Piper
I coated the wounds with grafting-wax, latex, cellophane, asphalt and paraffine.
Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the Thirty-Eighth Annual Meeting|Northern Nut Growers Association
With the hunger gnawing at his stomach, Nick took a cellophane wrapped pie from the counter and began eating it.
The Sex Life of the Gods|Michael Knerr
Earlier in the afternoon we had taken out of cellophane bags here the clothing of the President.
Warren Commission (2 of 26): Hearings Vol. II (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

British Dictionary definitions for cellophane

Cellophane

/ (ˈsɛləˌfeɪn) /

noun

trademark a flexible thin transparent sheeting made from wood pulp and used as a moisture-proof wrapping

Word Origin for Cellophane

C20: from cellulose + -phane

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012