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

A bridge across the park will be rebuilt, with a glass balustrade that will evoke a royal tiara.

From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2026

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

That was Mama’s tiara locked away in Daddy’s chamber of nothingness.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles

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

"The tiaras take about two hours each," she told BBC London.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 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

Around 20 corgi enthusiasts dressed up their pets in crowns, tiaras and royal outfits and paraded them outside the palace in central London to pay tribute to Elizabeth, a well-known lover of the dog breed.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 3, 2023

I slept badly that night, dreaming of bricks crashing through our front window, dynamite exploding, and Mother and Betty Jean and Liz walking through our house with makeup on their faces and diamond tiaras.

From "The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine

Related Words

• headband
• headdress