regalia

American  

[ri-gey-lee-uh, -geyl-yuh] / rɪˈgeɪ li ə, -ˈgeɪl jə /

plural noun

• regalias
  plural

1. the ensigns or emblems of royalty, as the crown or scepter.

2. the decorations, insignia, or ceremonial clothes of any office or order.

3. rich, fancy, or dressy clothing; finery.

   guests wearing formal party regalia.

4. royal rights or privileges.

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regalia British  

/ rɪˈɡeɪlɪə /

plural noun

1. the ceremonial emblems or robes of royalty, high office, an order, etc

2. any splendid or special clothes; finery

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• regalias
  plural

Etymology

Origin of regalia

1530–40; < Medieval Latin rēgālia things pertaining to a king, noun use of neuter plural of Latin rēgālis regal ¹

Explanation

Regalia is clothing worn for formal functions by people who will be in the public eye. If you see Miss America at the grocery store, you might not recognize her because she's not wearing her pageant regalia. Regalia looks like regal and in fact, can refer to things owned by members of royalty that convey their official positions. Crowns, sashes, scepters, tiaras? Regalia. The prince's riding boots and the duchess's bath robes? Nope. Technically, regalia is a plural word, from Latin (the singular would be regalis) but it can be used with a singular or plural verb: Here is Queen Elizabeth's regalia. Her regalia are exquisite.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

regalia regalias

“My job is to celebrate and defend the wonders of British democracy,” Harvey told the BBC last week, in full Binface regalia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

Die-hard fans, many clad in American flags and US squad regalia, told the BBC they were convinced that whether the team won or lost, this World Cup could be a tipping point for the country.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

And there they were, a dozen or two members of that marching band, in full regalia, with two people holding a “Happy Birthday Eva!” banner and the rest blasting out the familiar tune.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2026

When the Allies occupied defeated Germany, they systematically removed the symbols and regalia of Nazi rule, as at the Nazi Party’s rallying grounds at Nuremberg.

From Salon ● Feb. 28, 2026

The crowd parted to make way for a group of firefighters, their bronze helmets glinting like the regalia of knights.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Then a further line of big-handed, white-gloved men in beavers and regalias; for he had been also a Freemason and an Odd-fellow.

From Dr. Sevier by George Washington Cable

They have had an afternoon's boating on the river; and, now returned to the "Harp"—their place of put-up—are flush of talk over their adventures, quaffing the sham "shammy," and smoking "regalias," not anything more genuine.

From Gwen Wynn by Mayne Reid

I brought him a pony of brandy and his black coffee, and set the box of Havana regalias on the table.

From The Gentle Grafter by H. C. Greening

Tom felt that it would be uncivil to refuse this orthodox offer, and took his beer accordingly, after which his host produced a box of Hudson's regalias, and proposed to look at the stables.

From Tom Brown at Oxford by Thomas Hughes

She’s got up all in black, not exactly a mournin’ costume, but one of these real broadcloth regalias, plain but classy.

From Odd Numbers Being Further Chronicles of Shorty McCabe by Sewell Ford

Related Words

• insignia