Tiara Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms tiara American [tee-ar-uh, -ahr-uh, -air-uh] / tiˈær ə, -ˈɑr ə, -ˈɛər ə /

noun

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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• tiaraed adjective
• tiaralike adjective

Etymology

Origin of tiara

1545–55; < Latin: headdress < Greek tiā́ra kind of turban

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.

“There is a small chance that my helicopter won’t be able to have a sauna in it just because apparently some kids want dental work or something,” said the woman, as she adjusted her tiara.

From Los Angeles Times

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

No more ties or tiaras for these modern royals.

From BBC

There were fancy dresses made of silk and velvet and chiffon, men’s breeches and brocade vests, miles of taffeta and endless lengths of ribbon, and countless boxes of tiaras and leather slippers.

From Literature

The loot included a diamond and emerald necklace Emperor Napoleon gave to his wife, a tiara worn by Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III, and several pieces previously owned by Queen Marie-Amelie.

From BBC

Related Words

• headband
• headdress

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.