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 spokesperson continued, underscoring that food safety “is the number one priority for U.S. confectionery companies,” and that the “FDA is the rightful national regulatory decision maker and leader in food safety.”

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

Since joining the series, Leith has sampled scores of competitors’ signature bakes, judged technical baking challenges and marveled at numerous bakers’ memorable confectionery showstoppers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

Ferragni's legal troubles related in part to her 2022 endorsement of a pandoro cake made by Italian confectionery company Balocco that purported to raise funds for children undergoing treatment at a Turin hospital.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

More than £100m was spent on sugar confectionery at British supermarkets in the four weeks to 5 October - up 5% on the same period a year ago, according to data from Worldpanel by Numerator.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2025

I’ve always regarded the Pepper Imp as the king of the confectionery bag.

From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling