# regalia

/ɹɪˈɡeɪɫjə/ (US) · /ɹɪɡˈeɪliə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/regalia
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. royal symbols

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the special objects that belong to a king or queen, such as a crown or sceptre.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. ceremonial dress

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

special clothes and decorations worn for a formal ceremony or by members of a group.

For teachers: 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'.

### 3. impressive clothing

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Humorous

very grand or fancy clothes that make someone stand out.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The graduates wore their ceremonial regalia for the photo.
- The university president arrived in full regalia, including the velvet robe and the heavy gold chain.
- While the modern ceremony is largely symbolic, the preservation of traditional regalia remains a point of pride for the institution, reflecting centuries of academic heritage and hierarchy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.