mantilla

noun

man·​til·​la man-ˈtē-yə How to pronounce mantilla (audio) man-ˈti-lə How to pronounce mantilla (audio)
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
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.
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 Like Charlene, Caroline wore a traditional black mantilla veil on her hair as a sign of reverence in church. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 4 Jan. 2023 In photographs from this period, she is tangled in a nest of limbs, or in fishnets and a bright mantilla, kneeling at an invisible altar like a psychedelic bride. Carina Del Valle Schorske, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, diminutive of manta

First Known Use

1717, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mantilla was in 1717

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mantilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mantilla. Accessed 10 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

mantilla

noun
man·​til·​la man-ˈtē-(y)ə How to pronounce mantilla (audio) -ˈtil-ə How to pronounce mantilla (audio)
1
: a light scarf worn over the head and shoulders especially by Spanish and Latin American women
2
: a short light cape or cloak
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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