trappings
Americanplural noun
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the accessories and adornments that characterize or symbolize a condition, office, etc
the visible trappings of success
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a ceremonial harness for a horse or other animal, including bridles, saddles, etc
Etymology
Origin of trappings
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at trap 2, -ing 1, -s 3
Explanation
Big house, shiny new car, a custom-made suit, an expensive watch, cool sunglasses... If you have these things, you have the trappings of success, which means you own things that give you the outward appearance of success. The word trappings originally described the decorations people attached to their horse's bridle and saddle. The goal was to make a statement about the rider's power and privilege. Today, we still have trappings, but they take other forms, such as expensive clothing with big logos or big diamond earrings. Trappings are material items that tell the world that someone has money — or a credit card — but not about who he or she is on the inside.
Vocabulary lists containing trappings
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
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The Things They Carried
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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.
Ma was enticed by a promise of quick returns and encouraged by what seemed like trappings of success, he said in an interview: Nguyen wore Chanel sunglasses, dressed in designer clothes and drove a Tesla.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
To him, the Dave & Buster’s raves tend to be “less polished” than others he’s played, despite the room’s corporate-seeming trappings.
From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026
A recent trial in Shorewood, Wis., had all the trappings of a minor legal dispute.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026
The shiny trappings are just part of the allure of the 58-year-old venue.
From Barron's ● Jun. 8, 2026
No longer did they try to fit themselves, like paper-doll figures, behind trappings so foreign to their actual lives.
From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez
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.
