The term confectionery refers to food items that are (at least perceived to be) rich in sugar. Different dialects of English also use regional terms for confections:

In Britain, Ireland and some Commonwealth countries, "sweets"

In Australia and New Zealand, "lollies"

In North America, "candy" (although this term can also refer to a specific range of confectionery and does not include some items called confectionery (e.g. pastry) (See below and the separate article on candy.) "Sweets" is used on occassion, as well as "treat".

Hard candy: Based on sugars cooked to the hard-crack stage, including suckers (known as boiled sweets in British English), lollipops, jawbreakers (or gobstoppers), lemon drops, peppermint drops and disks, candy canes, rock candy, etc.

Fudge: A confection of milk and sugar boiled to the soft-ball stage. In the US, it tends to be chocolate-flavored.

Toffee (or Taffy): Based on sugars cooked to the soft-ball stage and then pulled to create an elastic texture.

Swiss Milk Tablet: A crumbly milk-based soft candy, based on sugars cooked to the soft-ball stage. Comes in several forms, such as wafers and heart shapes.

Licorice candy: Containing extract of the liquorice root. Chewier and more resilient than gum/gelatin candies, but still designed for swallowing. For example, Liquorice allsorts.

Chocolates: Used in the plural, usually referring to small balled centers covered with chocolate to create bite-sized confectionery.

Gum/Gelatin candies: Based on gelatins, including gum drops, jujubes, Lokum / Turkish Delight, jelly beans, gummies, etc.

Marshmallow: "Peeps" (a trade name), circus peanuts, etc.

Marzipan: An almond-based confection, doughy in consistency, served in several different ways. It is often formed into shapes mimicking (for example) fruits or animals. Alternatively, marzipan may be flavoured, normally with spirits such as Kirsch or Rum, and divided into small bite-sized pieces; these flavoured marzipans are generally served coated in chocolate to prevent the alcohol from evaporating, and are very common in northern Europe. Marzipan is also used in cake decoration.

Divinity: A nougat-like confectionery based on egg whites with chopped nuts.

Pastry: A baked confection whose dough is rich in butter, which was dispersed through the pastry prior to baking, resulting in a light, flaky texture; see also pie and tart.

Chewing gum: Uniquely made to be chewed, not swallowed. However, some people believe that at least some types of chewing gum, such as certain bubble gums, are indeed candy.

Ice cream: A suspension of microscopic ice crystals in cream; also ice cream cones.

Halvah: Confectionery based on tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds.

Alfajor: a traditional South American cookie typically consisting of two round sweet biscuits joined together with a sweet jam, generally dulce de leche (milk jam).