regalia
- 01 C1 Advanced
the special objects that belong to a king or queen, such as a crown or sceptre.
the emblems and symbols indicative of royalty or sovereign status, including items like crowns, orbs, and sceptres.
Simple“The royal regalia were kept behind thick glass in the tower for safety.”
In context“The coronation ceremony reached its climax when the monarch was finally invested with the full regalia of the state.”
UsageAlways used in the plural form; takes a plural verb.
- 02 C1 Advanced
special clothes and decorations worn for a formal ceremony or by members of a group.
the decorations, insignia, or traditional dress indicative of an office, membership in an order, or a specific cultural ritual.
Simple“The university professors marched in their academic regalia during the graduation ceremony.”
In context“Participants at the gathering wore traditional regalia that had been passed down through their families for generations.”
UsageOften used with a modifying adjective like 'academic', 'masonic', or 'tribal'.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
very grand or fancy clothes that make someone stand out.
magnificent dress or lavish costume; used broadly to describe impressive finery.
Simple“He showed up to the gala in his full military regalia, looking very sharp.”
In context“The guests arrived in their finest evening regalia, transforming the ballroom into a sea of silk and jewels.”
UsageSometimes used ironically or humorously to describe someone who is overdressed.
Synonymsfineryarray
“The band emerged in full regalia to a roar, packed in under LPR’s low-slung ceiling.”
From Middle English regalie, from Medieval Latin rēgālia (“royal powers”), substantivisation of the neuter plural of rēgālis (“of a king”), from rēx (“king”). By surface analysis, regal + -ia.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.