Definition

A thin and clear material made from plant fibers, often used to wrap food or other items to keep them fresh.

Example

She wrapped the gift in cellophane to make it look more attractive.

Conversation

I just wrapped the gift in cellophane to keep it fresh.

That's a great idea! It looks so nice and shiny.

Yeah, I love how transparent cellophane is, it shows off the colors.

Totally! It makes the gift even more appealing.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Cellophane is formed from "cell" (from the Latin "cella", meaning a small room or chamber) and "-phane" (from the Greek "phanai", meaning to show or to appear). The word describes a material that shows or appears as a thin, transparent film, resembling a small chamber or enclosure.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'small chamber' ('cell') that 'shows' ('-phane') what is inside — that's why cellophane is a transparent material.

Visually Confused Words