What does tiara mean?
A tiara is an ornamental headpiece, usually a semicircular band set with gems, pearls, or crystals, worn at the front of the head on formal occasions. Today the word is most often linked with royalty, aristocracy, weddings, and beauty pageants, and it carries connotations of elegance, ceremony, and privilege. A tiara differs from a full crown in that it does not encircle the head and does not necessarily signify sovereign rule. The same word also refers to the triple crown traditionally worn by the pope on ceremonial occasions, though that use is now largely historical. In ancient times the word described a headdress worn by Persian kings. Because of these associations, tiara is a useful word for describing both literal jewellery and figurative status, as when someone is said to wear a tiara in a humorous or playful way. It is a standard, widely understood noun in both British and American English.
nounA small, ornamental, often jewelled semicircular crown worn on the front of the head by women on formal occasions. The word also names the triple crown worn by the pope on certain ceremonial occasions.
- A jewelled semicircular ornament worn on the head by women on formal occasions.
- The triple crown worn by the pope on certain ceremonial occasions.
- In antiquity, the headdress of ancient Persian kings.
"The bride fastened her grandmother's diamond tiara into her veil before walking down the aisle."
"She wore a pearl tiara at the gala, and it caught the light every time she turned her head."
"The museum's collection includes a nineteenth-century tiara that once belonged to a duchess."
Regular plural formed by adding -s.
"The exhibition displayed several royal tiaras from the nineteenth century."
The word comes from the ancient Persian world, where a tiara was a kingly headdress, and centuries later it names both a bridal sparkle and the pope's triple crown.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tiara come from?
English tiara comes from Latin tiara, which was borrowed from Greek tiārā, the name of a headdress worn in ancient Persia. The Greek word is generally thought to be of Eastern origin, but its ultimate source is uncertain. It entered English in the 16th century, first for the Persian headdress and the papal crown, and the modern jewellery sense developed later, around the 19th century.
How tiara is actually used
Tiara is a formal or ceremonial word, strongly associated with weddings, royalty, pageants, and aristocratic occasions. It often suggests glamour or high status, and it is sometimes used humorously for a child's toy crown.
Easily confused with tiara
A diadem is any ornamental headband or crown signifying royalty, while a tiara is typically a jewelled half-circle worn at the front of the head.
A coronet is a small crown signifying noble rank below that of a sovereign, whereas a tiara is chiefly a decorative jewel for formal dress.