What does mantilla mean?
A mantilla is a light scarf or veil worn over a woman's head and shoulders. It may be made from lace, silk, or another fine fabric and can cover the hair, frame the face, or drape across the shoulders. The garment is especially associated with traditional Spanish dress and formal or religious occasions, although variants are also found in Latin America and the Philippines. Historically, mantillas ranged from simple practical head coverings to elaborate lace garments associated with ceremonial and court dress. Today, the word appears in fashion, cultural, and historical writing more often than in everyday speech. A lace mantilla is a familiar example, while a plain silk version may be worn to complement regional clothing. Although commonly described as a scarf or veil, a mantilla is distinctive for its traditional placement over the head and upper body.
nounA lightweight scarf or veil worn over the head and shoulders, especially by women. It is often made of lace or silk and may form part of traditional or ceremonial dress.
- A light scarf or veil worn over the head and shoulders, especially by women.
- A larger lace or silk covering draped over the head and shoulders as part of formal, religious, or traditional dress.
"She wore a delicate lace mantilla over her shoulders at the festival."
"A white lace mantilla framed her face as she entered the church."
"The museum displayed a black mantilla from nineteenth-century Spain beside an embroidered evening gown."
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple mantillas or to a collection of them.
"The shop displayed embroidered mantillas in several colors."
Named for the Spanish manta, or blanket, the mantilla began as a simple draped cloth and became a symbol of elegance in Spanish court dress.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mantilla come from?
The English word comes from Spanish mantilla, a diminutive of manta, meaning a blanket or cloak. Spanish manta derives from Vulgar Latin manta, from Latin mantum, an outer garment or covering. The same Latin root also produced English mantle, with which mantilla remains historically related.
How mantilla is actually used
The word is most common in discussions of Spanish, Latin American, and Filipino clothing and ceremonial traditions. Outside those contexts it is literary or historical rather than everyday.
Easily confused with mantilla
A mantilla is a scarf or veil worn by a person, whereas a mantle is a loose garment or covering that envelops the shoulders and body.
A mantel is a shelf or decorative framework above a fireplace, while a mantilla is a type of head-and-shoulder covering.