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
- tiaraed adjective
- tiaralike adjective
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.
Nevertheless, kudos to the costume team for a different outfit that Grace wears in the second half of the film that’s an absolute jaw-dropper of goth couture with black netting and a tiara.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026
Roan’s fiery hair is piled in a foot-high bouffant above a rhinestone tiara, her face layered in kabuki-like powder.
From Salon • Feb. 19, 2026
They also grabbed the diamond-studded crown of Empress Eugenie, a tiara punctuated with sapphires and several other pieces.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025
The loot includes a diamond and emerald necklace Emperor Napoleon gave to his wife, a tiara worn by Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III, and several pieces previously owned by Queen Marie-Amelie.
From BBC • Oct. 22, 2025
“Thanks for nothing, Jack!” the “princess” yelled at him, his wig and tiara falling off as he sat up.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
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.
