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

He pushes past marching bands with their instruments held high and parade spectators decked out in red, white and blue regalia.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 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

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

Community support is what motivated Wrinkle Jingle Jangle, aka Mark Chatham, to wander the festival in dazzling elf regalia, passing out small gifts to children.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025

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

I put another hundred in a couple of cases of Bordeaux, two quarts of cognac, two hundred Havana regalias with gold bands, and a camp stove and stools and folding cots.

From The Gentle Grafter by H. C. Greening

"Certainly; you shall have one of my best regalias."

From Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks Book Number Fifteen in the Jack Harkaway Series by Bracebridge Hemyng

When the men return to the mesa they remove their regalias and proceed to drink of the snake medicine which acts as an emetic.

From Arizona Sketches by J. A. (Joseph Amasa) Munk

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

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

Related Words

• insignia