paraphernalia
Americannoun
-
(sometimes used with a singular verb) equipment, apparatus, or furnishing used in or necessary for a particular activity.
a skier's paraphernalia.
- Synonyms:
- trappings
-
(used with a plural verb) personal belongings.
- Synonyms:
- effects
-
(used with a singular verb) the personal articles, apart from dower, reserved by law to a married woman.
plural noun
-
miscellaneous articles or equipment
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law (formerly) articles of personal property given to a married woman by her husband before or during marriage and regarded in law as her possessions over which she has some measure of control
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of paraphernalia
1470–80; < Medieval Latin paraphernālia ( bona ) a bride's goods, beyond her dowry, equivalent to Late Latin paraphern ( a ) a bride's property (< Greek parápherna, equivalent to para- para- 1 + phern ( ḗ ) dowry, derivative of phérein to bear 1 + -a neuter plural noun suffix) + Latin -ālia, noun use of neuter plural of -ālis -al 1
Explanation
Having lunch in the park might require you to first gather together a lot of picnic paraphernalia, such as blankets, coolers, Frisbees, and other miscellaneous items that are relevant to that activity. This term dates back to the 17th century when it referred specifically to a woman’s personal belongings, not including her dowry. Now, it can refer to any gear or equipment necessary for a sport or any undertaking. For example, a hockey player’s paraphernalia would include various pieces of protective padding, while a pastry chef has a different set of articles she needs for her task, such as baking tins and mixers.
Vocabulary lists containing paraphernalia
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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"The Lottery," Vocabulary from the short story
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The Hobbit
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He and his wife, Liz, founded a climbing-gear business called Mountain Paraphernalia in 1967, the same year they made a first ascent of Nutcracker in Yosemite.
From New York Times • Mar. 15, 2017
The magazine recommended her for a design position at Paraphernalia, a new Manhattan clothing boutique deeply influenced by London.
From Washington Post • May 31, 2015
This world, dripping with dissoluteness and a belief in the redemptive value of danger, coincided with the debut of a revolutionary new clothing consortium called Paraphernalia.
From New York Times • Feb. 13, 2015
Tropez look to Cher and other stars; and the West Coast outpost of New York's funky store Paraphernalia, merchandised by fashion school grad-turned-movie Director Joel Schumacher.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 20, 2011
Rusty Arms, and other Military Paraphernalia hanging up, in different Parts; &c.
From The Battle of Hexham; or, Days of Old; a play in three acts by Colman, George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
