confection

[ kuhn-fek-shuhn ]

noun

1. a sweet preparation of fruit or the like, as a preserve or candy.
2. the process of compounding, preparing, or making something.
3. a frivolous, amusing, or contrived play, book, or other artistic or literary work.
4. something made up or confected; a concoction:

   He said the charges were a confection of the local police.

5. something, as a garment or decorative object, that is very delicate, elaborate, or luxurious and usually nonutilitarian.
6. Pharmacology. a medicated preparation made with the aid of sugar, honey, syrup, or the like.

verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to prepare as a confection.

confection

/ kənˈfɛkʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of compounding or mixing
2. any sweet preparation of fruit, nuts, etc, such as a preserve or a sweet
3. old-fashioned.
   an elaborate article of clothing, esp for women
4. informal.
   anything regarded as overelaborate or frivolous

   the play was merely an ingenious confection

5. a medicinal drug sweetened with sugar, honey, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of confection¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English confeccioun, from Latin confectiōn- (stem of confectiō ) “preparation, conclusion, completion”; confect, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of confection¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin confectiō a preparing, from conficere to produce; see confect

Example Sentences

At 59, the breakout star of Netflix’s Parisian confection is playing a role written for a woman 20 years younger.

From Los Angeles Times

Such is the syncretic nature of contemporary conservatism that blatantly contradictory elements can be fused into the monstrous ideological confection we see all around us.

From Salon

David Rockwell’s scenic design whips up a confection shop of theatrical dreams.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s the handiwork of a 1920s developer, Richard Peter Shea, a poor man who made good and who also built Shea’s Castle, a grandiose Irish confection in the Lancaster desert.

From Los Angeles Times

You’re the teen prince of the summer’s signature song, the kind that has reigned over iTunes, ring tones and MySpace alike, an innocent but cunning confection that’s seeped into nearly everyone’s consciousness in Doppler form from so many cars blasting it out of souped-up speakers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cake
• candy
• pastry