paraphernalia
2 synonyms for paraphernalia, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A miscellaneous collection of items, especially equipment associated with a particular activity.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use paraphernalia
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
drug paraphernalia
camping paraphernalia
assorted paraphernalia
Etymology
From Medieval Latin paraphernalia, "goods belonging to a wife beyond her dowry," from Greek para- ("beside") + pherne ("dowry"). The word broadened from a legal term for a wife's personal property into "assorted gear" generally.
Full origin of paraphernalia →Frequently asked questions
What does “paraphernalia” mean?
The word “paraphernalia” means a miscellaneous collection of items, especially equipment associated with a particular activity. In plain terms, all the odds-and-ends gear that goes along with doing something — usually treated as a plural mass, not counted individually.
How do you pronounce “paraphernalia”?
“Paraphernalia” is pronounced pa-ruh-fuh-NAY-lee-uh (/ˌpɛɹəfɚˈneɪli.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “paraphernalia” in a sentence?
Here is “paraphernalia” used in a sentence: “The garage was full of camping paraphernalia.”
What part of speech is “paraphernalia”?
“Paraphernalia” is a noun.
Where does the word “paraphernalia” come from?
The word “paraphernalia” comes from Medieval Latin.
