What does paraphernalia mean?
Word: Paraphernalia
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Paraphernalia means all the small objects and equipment needed for a particular activity or hobby.
Synonyms: equipment, gear, trappings
Word origin: Comes from the Greek word parapherna, through medieval Latin.
How do you spell paraphernalia?
Syllables: par - a - pher - na - li - a
Tricky part: The r in the middle goes missing, since many speakers barely sound it, and paraphenalia is the result.
Watch out for: paraphenalia, paraphernelia
Memory tip: Say the third syllable with a clear r, as in her. That r is the letter that vanishes from careless spelling.
Paraphernalia in a sentence
Example 1: Papa cannot go birdwatching without his binoculars, notebooks and other paraphernalia.
Example 2: The kitchen shelf was crammed with tins, moulds and baking paraphernalia.
Example 3: We left all the camping paraphernalia in the car and walked to the lake.
Fun Fact
The word has been used in English since the 1600s, when it was mainly a legal term, and only later came to mean the assorted odds and ends of a hobby.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Probe
One word in the sentence is misspelt. Choose the meaning of that word:
Mohan loaded all his fishing parafernalia into the old jeep and drove to the reservoir at dawn.
a) a strong small vehicle for rough ground
b) the time of day just before sunrise
c) the assortment of articles that go with a pastime
d) a large lake used to store water
Show answer
c) the assortment of articles that go with a pastime. Parafernalia should have ph in place of the f, and it names everything an angler carries.
Spellacadabra
In which word will the same letter fill both blanks?
a) p_r_phernalia
b) s_p_rate
c) acc_mp_ny
d) perm_n_nt
Show answer
a) p_r_phernalia. Both blanks take a; permanent needs a and e, accompany o and a, and separate e and a.
Back to the Roots
Choose the correct option:
In ancient Greek, parapherna meant ___.
a) a king's public jewels
b) a farmer's seasonal tools
c) a sailor's rolled maps
d) a bride's own belongings
Show answer
d) a bride's own belongings. The Greek word named what a bride kept as her own, and the sense later widened to any collection of things.
Word Champ
In which option are the given words arranged in alphabetical order?
1. paraphernalia 2. parallel 3. parachute 4. paragraph
a) 4321
b) 3412
c) 3241
d) 3421
Show answer
d) 3421. After the shared opening the next letters are c, g, l and p, which fixes the order.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these is the best example of paraphernalia?
a) a single apple left on a kitchen table
b) a kind word from a friend after a test
c) a painter's brushes, palette, rags and easel
d) a long walk along a quiet country lane
Show answer
c) a painter's brushes, palette, rags and easel
2. Which words could replace paraphernalia in 'the paraphernalia of a birthday party'?
a) happy memories
b) good wishes
c) bits and pieces
d) long speeches
Show answer
c) bits and pieces
