What does paraphernalia mean?

Definitions for paraphernaliaˌpær ə fərˈneɪl yə, -fəˈneɪl-

Here are all the possible meanings and translations of the word paraphernalia.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. gear, paraphernalia, appurtenance(noun)



  1. Paraphernalia(n. pl.)

    The appendages, apparatus, or equipment used in a particular activity; as, surveyors unloading their paraphernalia from a van.

  2. Paraphernalia(n. pl.)

    Personal belongings; ornaments; finery; sundry objects carried about for personal convenience.

  3. Origin: [LL. paraphernalia bona, fr. L. parapherna, pl., parapherna, Gr. ; para` beside + a bride's dowry, fr. fe`rein to bring. See 1st Bear.]


  1. paraphernalia(Noun)

    Miscellaneous items, especially the set of equipment required for a particular activity; stuff.

    He has an impressive collection of bicycling paraphernalia, but he doesn't ride very often anymore.

  2. paraphernalia(Noun)

    Things a woman owns, apart from her dowry.

  3. Origin: The origin of the word is παρά + φερνή (“things additional to a dowry”). In the propertied classes, a dowry was placed under the control of the husband, while the 'paraphernalia' which she brought with her remained the wife’s property.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Paraphernalia


  2. Paraphernalia

    appendages; ornaments; finery; equipments



  1. Paraphernalia

    This record is one of a string of mid-career recordings by Chicago natives Enuff Z'Nuff. Paraphernalia is arguably heavier in nature than many of their previous recordings. This album is also notable for its guest appearances from other famous Chicago area musicians, including Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, James Young of Styx, and Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins, all featured on lead guitar for several of the album's tracks. A promotional video was shot for the single "Freak." The director of the video, comedian Matt Kissane, is also a Chicago resident. Clips from the "Freak" video were televised nationally on VH-1. The song "Ain't It Funny" also received national exposure with the band's live performance on The Jenny Jones Show." The cover art of the U.S. version of the album is a homage to the rock band Queen's second album, "Queen II." The Japanese version of Paraphernalia features different artwork and fewer songs than its domestic counterpart. While promoting this record, the full band toured in Japan for the first time, where they have found some success over the years.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Paraphernalia

    par-a-fėr-nāl′i-a, n.pl. ornaments of dress of any kind: trappings: that which a bride brings over and above her dowry: the clothes, jewels, &c. which a wife possesses beyond her dowry in her own right. [Late L. parapherna—Gr., from para, beyond, phernē, a dowry—pherein, to bring.]


  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of paraphernalia in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of paraphernalia in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Images & Illustrations of paraphernalia

  1. paraphernaliaparaphernaliaparaphernalia

Translations for paraphernalia

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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"paraphernalia." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2017. Web. 11 Dec. 2017. <http://www.definitions.net/definition/paraphernalia>.

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