mantilla
noun
man·til·la
man-ˈtē-yə 
man-ˈti-lə
man-ˈti-lə
1
: a light scarf worn over the head and shoulders especially by Spanish and Latin American women
2
: a short light cape or cloak
Examples of mantilla in a Sentence
a beautiful Spanish lady with a lace mantilla
Recent Examples on the Web
Princess Charlene, Queen Letizia, Queen Mathilde and Princess Sophie notably had their heads covered with mantillas that matched their outfits at Pope Leo's inauguration mass, while Grand Duchess Maria Teresa skipped the accessory.
—
Janine Henni, People.com, 19 May 2025
Women are largely expected to wear a matching mantilla, a lace veil, while in the pope’s presence.
—Mikelle Street, Footwear News, 18 May 2025
Kennedy also wore a black dress and black lace mantilla when meeting Pope John XXIII in 1962.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Another first lady also chose a mantilla, Melania Trump.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 26 Apr. 2025
For more of a European flair, there’s the mantilla veil.
—Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2024
Weirdest Head Gear Lana Del Rey, wearing an Alexander McQueen gown, was topped by a thorn of crowns or Spanish mantilla — or maybe both.
—Merle Ginsberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 May 2024
In his subsequent speech from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica — where, on a blustery day, his white mantilla lifted up behind him at times — Francis delved into the two conflicts about which his comments have stirred the most controversy: Ukraine and Gaza.
—Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
The embellishments lining the hood are reminiscent of those on a traditional Spanish mantilla.
—Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 May 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Janine Henni, People.com, 19 May 2025
Women are largely expected to wear a matching mantilla, a lace veil, while in the pope’s presence.
—Mikelle Street, Footwear News, 18 May 2025
Kennedy also wore a black dress and black lace mantilla when meeting Pope John XXIII in 1962.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Another first lady also chose a mantilla, Melania Trump.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 26 Apr. 2025
For more of a European flair, there’s the mantilla veil.
—Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2024
Weirdest Head Gear Lana Del Rey, wearing an Alexander McQueen gown, was topped by a thorn of crowns or Spanish mantilla — or maybe both.
—Merle Ginsberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 May 2024
In his subsequent speech from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica — where, on a blustery day, his white mantilla lifted up behind him at times — Francis delved into the two conflicts about which his comments have stirred the most controversy: Ukraine and Gaza.
—Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
The embellishments lining the hood are reminiscent of those on a traditional Spanish mantilla.
—Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 May 2023
Cite this Entry
“Mantilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mantilla. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mantilla
noun
man·til·la
man-ˈtē-(y)ə
-ˈtil-ə
-ˈtil-ə
1
: a light scarf worn over the head and shoulders especially by Spanish and Latin American women
2
: a short light cape or cloak
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share