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

Highlights include Native American singers, drummers, and dancers in traditional regalia from across the Southwest sharing their traditions and passing on customs. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025

The funerary regalia was then gathered from the burials, as Sotincenka tells Live Science. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025

An elaborate silver sequined and embellished chest piece sat on the shoulders of Domingo’s cape, reminiscent of ceremonial armor or royal regalia. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 5 May 2025

However, Dolan is not alone in his criticism of the image showing Trump in full papal regalia. —Rachel Scully, The Hill, 4 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin, neuter plural of regalis

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for regalia

• azalea
• mammalia
• vidalia
• marginalia
• saturnalia
• terminalia
• paraphernalia
• thalia

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