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

This was the regalia Paris had been given the day he was made a moran. —Nurith Aizenman, NPR, 12 May 2024

Organizers asked students to show up in their graduation caps, gowns and regalia. —Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 9 May 2024

Butterflies on the shoes were worn as high regalia, the archaeologists said, and were worn by officers who would not have been living in the area. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 May 2024

After hearing the bad news, Mr. Hill walks in a daze on the ship’s deck, eyes lost in the middle distance, the official regalia of his captain’s outfit rendered absurd. —Alex Traub, New York Times, 5 May 2024

As demonstrators studied for finals and held teach-ins in the encampment, students nearby who weren’t activists took photos in graduation regalia by the Tommy Trojan statue and other scenic spots. —Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024

Keith Richards was one of the few musicians onstage who remained in his full regalia of long-sleeve satin shirt (in various colors) as well as a red knit beanie all night. —Caryn Rose, Variety, 3 May 2024

In the first clip, Depp can be seen in full regalia as the 18th-century monarch of France, waiting impatiently for Jeanne du Barry’s grand entrance. —Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024

Proud parents Donna and Ed Kelce were also on hand to celebrate the moment at Fifth Third Arena, when university president Dr. Neville Pinto — in full graduation regalia — presented the Kelce brothers with their diplomas, the outlet reported. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 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