tiara
Americannoun
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a jeweled, ornamental coronet worn by women.
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Roman Catholic Church. a head-piece consisting of three coronets on top of which is an orb and a cross, worn by the pope, or carried before him during certain nonliturgical functions.
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the position, authority, and dignity of the pope.
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a high headdress, or turban, worn by the ancient Persians and others.
noun
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a woman's semicircular jewelled headdress for formal occasions
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a high headdress worn by Persian kings in ancient times
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RC Church
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a headdress worn by the pope, consisting of a beehive-shaped diadem surrounded by three coronets
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the office or rank of pope
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tiara
1545–55; < Latin: headdress < Greek tiā́ra kind of turban
Explanation
A very simple crown, sort of a fancy headband ornamented with jewels, is called a tiara. Your little sister might wear a tiara on her birthday — or just for fun. The words tiara and diadem are used interchangeably for decorative crowns that have historically been worn by high-status people. The word tiara comes from a Persian root, and was originally used specifically to mean "headdress of Persian kings." Today you're most likely to spot tiaras gracing the heads of cartoon princesses like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.
Vocabulary lists containing tiara
Put a Lid On It: Hats, Hoods, and Other Headgear
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Finishing Touches: Words for Accessories
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Taking Flight
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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.
For indoors, Tiara recommends Board Huggers surfboard wall hangers for a midcentury modern look that can layer into any décor.
From Seattle Times • May 17, 2024
A previous court hearing was told the 6th Duke of Portland commissioned Cartier to create the Portland Tiara for his wife Winifred, Duchess of Portland.
From BBC • Feb. 22, 2024
“I cannot underscore how critical this count is,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said at a news conference at Tiara Street Park in North Hollywood before the start of the count.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2024
In May 2022, Tiara Young Hudson, a long-serving Black public defender, won the Democratic primary for a judgeship in Jefferson County, Alabama.
From Salon • May 17, 2023
Tiara said, and she hurried to join the other girls on the trail.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
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.
