Word
regalia
Phoneticsre·galia
US/ɹɪˈɡeɪɫjə/
UK/ɹɪɡˈeɪliə/
Definitions
01royal symbols
C1 · Advanced Plural noun Formal
n. the special objects that belong to a king or queen, such as a crown or sceptre.
n. the emblems and symbols indicative of royalty or sovereign status, including items like crowns, orbs, and sceptres.
“The royal regalia were kept behind thick glass in the tower for safety.”
“The coronation ceremony reached its climax when the monarch was finally invested with the full regalia of the state.”
Usage
Always used in the plural form; takes a plural verb.
02ceremonial dress
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. special clothes and decorations worn for a formal ceremony or by members of a group.
n. the decorations, insignia, or traditional dress indicative of an office, membership in an order, or a specific cultural ritual.
“The university professors marched in their academic regalia during the graduation ceremony.”
“Participants at the gathering wore traditional regalia that had been passed down through their families for generations.”
Usage
Often used with a modifying adjective like 'academic', 'masonic', or 'tribal'.
03impressive clothing
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary · Humorous
n. very grand or fancy clothes that make someone stand out.
n. magnificent dress or lavish costume; used broadly to describe impressive finery.
“He showed up to the gala in his full military regalia, looking very sharp.”
“The guests arrived in their finest evening regalia, transforming the ballroom into a sea of silk and jewels.”
Usage
Sometimes used ironically or humorously to describe someone who is overdressed.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“A member of the Muscogee Creek Nation pauses at the edge of the dance circle in traditional regalia at an event in Nashville.” “King Charles's regalia was in keeping with the high pomp and pageantry that we would expect of a state banquet.” “The band emerged in full regalia to a roar, packed in under LPR’s low-slung ceiling.” Etymology
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.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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