A Tiara Is Not a Crown
A tiara is a jewelled semicircular headpiece. The word came from Persia through Greek and once named a very different hat.
A tiara is a jewelled ornamental band worn on the front of the head. It is not a crown, and the distinction is precise: a crown is a complete circle and denotes sovereignty, while a tiara is a semicircle and denotes nothing but rank or occasion. A *coronet* sits between them, a small complete circle worn by nobility. The word came from Persian through Greek, where *tiara* named the tall headdress of Persian kings — a very different object.
- A jewelled headband. *A diamond tiara.*
- Crown — a full circle. *A crown.*
- Coronet — a small circle. *A coronet.*
- Persian headdress — the original. *The Persian tiara.*
- Greek — *tiara*. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | tiara | A tiara. |
| Plural | tiaras | Tiaras. |
| Related | crown | A crown. |
| Related | coronet | A coronet. |
| Greek | tiara | A headdress. |
- She wore a diamond tiara.Jewellery.
- A crown is a full circle.Distinction.
- The word came from Persia.Etymology.
Headpieces ranked
- Crown — a complete circle, worn by a sovereign
- Coronet — a smaller complete circle, worn by nobility
- Tiara — a semicircle, ornamental rather than constitutional
- Diadem — historically a band or fillet, often used loosely
- Circlet — a plain band without elaborate ornament
Latin *tiara*, from Greek *tiara*, the turban-like headdress of Persian kings, of Persian origin.
What is the difference between a tiara and a crown?
A crown is a complete circle denoting sovereignty; a tiara is a semicircle and is purely ornamental.
What did tiara originally mean?
The tall turban-like headdress worn by Persian kings, a very different object from the modern jewelled band.