cellophane

noun

cel·​lo·​phane ˈse-lə-ˌfān 

: regenerated cellulose in thin transparent sheets used especially for packaging

Examples of cellophane in a Sentence

He wrapped the gift basket in cellophane.

Recent Examples on the Web

School supplies with a sales price of $50 or less per item include: Binders, cellophane tape, compasses, composition books and construction paper. Crayons, erasers, folders, glue, paste and legal pads. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025

Hard candies wrapped in cellophane and retrieved from the depths of a massive purse. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 1 May 2025

This peel-off mask applies as a clear gel and dries down to a film of what looks like cellophane, treating your skin with a hard-working combination of the works. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 6 Apr. 2025

Use a red-light flashlight or headlamp—or cover your white light in red cellophane—to preserve your night vision in the field. —Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from cellulose + -phane (as in diaphane diaphanous, from Medieval Latin diaphanus)

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cellophane

• cellophane noodle

Rhymes for cellophane

• aeroplane
• appertain
• ascertain
• capitaine
• cassegrain
• chatelaine
• counterpane
• entertain
• gethsemane
• halothane
• hurricane
• hyperplane

Kids Definition

cellophane

noun

cel·​lo·​phane ˈsel-ə-ˌfān 

: a thin transparent material made from cellulose and used as a wrapping