piñata

What is the opposite of piñata? Here is what we hold, with its meaning and related words.

Noun — A hollow figure of papier-mâché or thin card, filled with sweets and small toys and hung up at a party so that blindfolded children can hit it with a stick until it bursts.

We haven't recorded synonyms for piñata yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use piñata

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

break the piñata piñata stick fill the piñata birthday piñata

Everyday; the tilde is optional in English but standard in Spanish.

Etymology

From Spanish piñata, from Italian pignatta 'earthenware cooking pot', related to pigna 'pine cone', which the earliest clay versions resembled.

Full origin of piñata →

Frequently asked questions

Where did the piñata come from?

The custom reached Mexico through Spain, where it was tied to Lenten and Christmas celebrations, and similar container-breaking games are recorded earlier in both Europe and Mesoamerica. It is now most strongly associated with Mexican birthday parties.

What is the difference between a pull-string and a hit piñata?

A hit piñata has to be struck until it breaks. A pull-string version has ribbons underneath, one of which releases a trapdoor, so nobody swings a stick — safer for very young children and indoor parties.

How do you spell piñata without the accent?

Writing it 'pinata' is widely accepted in English, though the tilde on the n reflects the Spanish pronunciation 'nya'.

Nearby words

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