regalia

plural noun

re·​ga·​lia ri-ˈgāl-yə 

1

: royal rights or prerogatives

2

a

: the emblems, symbols, or paraphernalia indicative of royalty

b

: decorations or insignia indicative of an office or membership

3

: special dress

especially : finery

Did you know?

Just as regal describes a king or queen—that is, a ruler—regalia originally meant the things, and especially the dress and decoration, that belong exclusively to a monarch. The British monarchy's regalia include the crown jewels (crown, scepter, orb, sword, etc.) that lend luster to royal coronations. Academic regalia—the caps, gowns, and hoods worn by students receiving their degrees—link institutions to their past by preserving the dress worn at universities since their beginnings in the Middle Ages, when long hooded robes were needed for warmth.

Synonyms

• array
• best
• bravery
• caparison
• feather
• finery
• frippery
• full dress
• gaiety
• gayety
• glad rags

Examples of regalia in a Sentence

was impressed with the regalia of the women at the ball

Recent Examples on the Web

From the traditional Ursuline robes and wimple worn by one lady, to the regalia worn by others who intermarried with Iroquois and Algonquins, every figure in this show is a whole person. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

The Best Moments Jackson has always been about iconic looks, from her Control blazers to her Rhythm Nation 1814 military regalia, to her low-slung jeans and nothing else in Janet. —Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Dec. 2024

In a separate post, the mom of three shared an additional photo of her twin sons wearing their graduation regalia and a peak at their post-graduation festivities. —Emma Aerin Becker, Peoplemag, 15 July 2024

In one frame a row of children are dressed in colorful, traditional regalia. —Adam Burke, NPR, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin, neuter plural of regalis

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

regalia

singular or plural noun

re·​ga·​lia ri-ˈgāl-yə 

1

: the emblems and symbols (as the crown) of royalty

2

: the emblem of an office or association

3

: special dress : finery