regimentals: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (very rare/archaic in everyday use)Historical, Literary, Specialized (military)
Quick answer
What does “regimentals” mean?
The distinctive uniform worn by soldiers of a particular army regiment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The distinctive uniform worn by soldiers of a particular army regiment.
Can refer to military uniform in general, especially the formal or ceremonial dress, and is occasionally used figuratively for any formal or official uniform.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is historically used in both varieties, but is now more likely to be encountered in British English due to its stronger tradition of named regiments with distinctive uniforms. In the US, 'dress uniform' or 'service uniform' are far more common.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries strong connotations of tradition, ceremony, and institutional identity. It may sound slightly old-fashioned or literary.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern corpora for both. Slightly higher in British historical novels or texts describing 18th/19th century military life.
Grammar
How to Use “regimentals” in a Sentence
[subject] + wear/put on + regimentals[subject] + be + dressed in + regimentals[subject] + appear in + (his/their) + regimentalsVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical or military studies texts to describe period uniforms.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be understood as 'military uniform' but sounds archaic.
Technical
Used in military history, reenactment communities, and costume design for period dramas.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “regimentals”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “regimentals”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “regimentals”
- Using it as a singular noun (*a regimental).
- Using it to refer to modern combat uniforms.
- Misspelling as 'regimentals'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun. You refer to 'his regimentals' or 'their regimentals' and use plural verb forms, e.g., 'His regimentals were neatly pressed.'
It is very unlikely. The term is archaic and carries a strong association with historical, formal, and often ornate uniforms from the 18th and 19th centuries. A modern soldier's combat uniform would never be called 'regimentals'.
'Uniform' is the general, standard term for standardized military clothing. 'Regimentals' specifically refers to the full, formal, and distinctive ceremonial dress of a particular regiment, emphasizing tradition and display.
No. It is a very low-frequency, specialized word. You will encounter it almost exclusively in historical fiction, military history, or descriptions of formal ceremonial events like 'Trooping the Colour' in the UK.
The distinctive uniform worn by soldiers of a particular army regiment.
Regimentals is usually historical, literary, specialized (military) in register.
Regimentals: in British English it is pronounced /ˌredʒ.ɪˈmen.tᵊlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈredʒ.əˌmen.t̬əlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To turn out in one's regimentals (to appear in full uniform)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a REGIMENT of soldiers putting on their special, TALL hats (regiment-alls). They put on ALL the pieces of their formal uniform.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNIFORM AS INSTITUTIONAL IDENTITY (the uniform physically represents the history and status of the regiment).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'regimentals' be LEAST appropriate?