cotton candy

American  

noun

cotton candies plural

1. a fluffy, sweet confection whipped from spun sugar and gathered or wound around a stick or cone-shaped paper core.

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cotton candy British  

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): candyfloss.  Austral name: fairyfloss.  a very light fluffy confection made from coloured spun sugar, usually held on a stick

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cotton candies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cotton candy

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cotton candy

Astronomers have identified two of the fluffiest giant planets ever discovered, with densities so low they are actually less dense than cotton candy.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 27, 2026

I can see how it might feel like it’s been treated like a ball of cotton candy to give it away.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 6, 2026

If ever an actress was born to play a role, it’s Ms. Grande as the ultra-feminine Glinda, a girl who seems to be spun out of cotton candy and floats around in a literal bubble.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025

While Kardashian’s role was as delicious and ephemeral as a piece of cotton candy, Lesley Manville’s part in Murphy’s series “Grotesquerie” was the real substantial meal.

From Salon ● Dec. 16, 2024

The food section has the usual vendors selling samosas and kabob rolls, and a big cotton candy machine.

From "Amina's Voice" by Hena Khan