paraphernalia

[par-uh-fer-neyl-yuh, -fuh-neyl-]

noun

1. (sometimes used with a singular verb),  equipment, apparatus, or furnishing used in or necessary for a particular activity.

   a skier's paraphernalia.

   Synonyms: trappings

2. (used with a plural verb),  personal belongings.

   Synonyms: effects

3. (used with a singular verb),  the personal articles, apart from dower, reserved by law to a married woman.

paraphernalia

/ ˌpærəfəˈneɪlɪə /

plural noun

1. miscellaneous articles or equipment

2. 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

• paraphernalian adjective
• paraphernal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphernalia¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphernalia¹

C17: via Medieval Latin from Latin parapherna personal property of a married woman, apart from her dowry, from Greek, from _para- ¹ + phernē dowry, from pherein to carry

Example Sentences

When police searched Cross' address in January 2025, officers discovered amounts of the chemical and other paraphernalia, the court heard.

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"I was quite surprised to see that much drug paraphernalia on somewhere as beautiful and unique as the Westwood," she said.

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He said drugs, money and other paraphernalia were "buried underground" at Tuthill Quarry, with hidden cameras installed by the gang to monitor the set up.

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Authorities arrested 56 people and seized 3,500 birds, as well as firearms and drug paraphernalia, during a multi-week cockfighting investigation in San Bernardino County, officials said.

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“Irresistible” might be set in the period we know as the Victorian era, and there are royals and attendant paraphernalia, but lovers of polite courtly romances might want to steer clear.

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Related Words

• gear 
• machinery 
• regalia