tiara

American  

[tee-ar-uh, -ahr-uh, -air-uh] / tiˈær ə, -ˈɑr ə, -ˈɛər ə /

noun

• tiaras
  plural

1. a jeweled, ornamental coronet worn by women.

2. 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.

3. the position, authority, and dignity of the pope.

4. a high headdress, or turban, worn by the ancient Persians and others.

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tiara British  

/ tɪˈɑːrə /

noun

1. a woman's semicircular jewelled headdress for formal occasions

2. a high headdress worn by Persian kings in ancient times

3. RC Church

   1. a headdress worn by the pope, consisting of a beehive-shaped diadem surrounded by three coronets

   2. the office or rank of pope

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• tiaraed
  adjective
• tiaralike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• tiaras
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tiara tiaras

I did have a tiara, but I didn’t bring it because I didn’t want to be too much.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

Sperling, who will now be known as Mrs Phillips, wore a dress designed by Emilia Wickstead, earrings by Pragnell and the Pragnell family tiara, with shoes by Jimmy Choo.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 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

Just a rusty tiara and the yellow envelope that came in the mail that day.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles

When I observed the LAB dancers in the studio as they prepared for their upcoming program, there were no tiaras or tutus, no pretense of easy perfection.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

If the thieves who dropped Empress Eugenie’s crown outside the Louvre during this year’s heist, sparked an interest in jeweled headgear, try this encyclopedic guide to the world’s most famous tiaras.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 28, 2025

Exquisite gowns and tiaras shine in the electric “display of illumination” – Bertha’s fancy description for strings of garden lights – brightening the sumptuous garden.

From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2025

Back in Tasmania, students from Taroona High School - Mary's alma mater - donned Viking helmets and tiaras for a celebratory royal supper.

From BBC ● Jan. 3, 2024

Meanwhile, Mom kept Connor entertained by showing him around the store, letting him sift through the multicolored leotards, the tulle-ruffled tutus, the floral headpieces and rhinestone tiaras.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day

Related Words

• headband
• headdress