paraphernalia
Americannoun
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(sometimes used with a singular verb) equipment, apparatus, or furnishing used in or necessary for a particular activity.
a skier's paraphernalia.
- Synonyms:
- trappings
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(used with a plural verb) personal belongings.
- Synonyms:
- effects
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(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
- paraphernal adjective
- paraphernalian adjective
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
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.
"Winnie the Pooh is all of us," said Kevin Kern, senior manager of research at the Walt Disney Archives in Burbank, California, where all kinds of Pooh paraphernalia are neatly catalogued.
From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026
Promotional paraphernalia has blanketed Hong Kong, a city of about 7.5 million people, in the run-up to the elections.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025
“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.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2025
Air Force One is equipped with everything that a president needs in the air—all the communications gear, intelligence files, and other top-secret paraphernalia that he or she would have on the ground.
From Slate • May 12, 2025
“A devoted Swirly carries Flush paraphernalia at all times. That’s rule number one. Rule number two is Flush adornment makes the world a better place. Besides, sticker slapping never hurt anyone.”
From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
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.
