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

“I went just like everyone. At 7 a.m. I showed up, wore my regalia, sat down and just soaked in the sun for a couple hours,” he said of the experience last year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

The State Opening of Parliament is the most British of occasions - and today it had the most British of ingredients: royals, regalia and rain.

From BBC ● May 13, 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

Here and elsewhere, Ms. Chan brings artists and their audience to life in a few telling lines, and discerns music-sharing motivations in brushstrokes, embroidery and regalia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 23, 2026

He disdained full regalia, except on ceremonial occasions, and dressed instead in impeccable coats and breeches, with tall black riding boots and a dueling blade at his side.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Wolfenden groaned inwardly, for his regalias were priceless and not to be replaced; but he said nothing.

From Mysterious Mr. Sabin by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim

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

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

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

Many of the royal regalias are profusely inlaid with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and other precious stones,—forming an aggregated value too large for us to venture an estimate.

From Due North or Glimpses of Scandinavia and Russia by Maturin Murray Ballou

Related Words

• insignia