hat

1 of 2

noun

ˈhat 

1

: a covering for the head usually having a shaped crown and brim

2

a

: a distinctive head covering worn as a symbol of office

b

: an office, position, or role assumed by or as if by the wearing of a special hat

wore many hats in her career

hatless

ˈhat-ləs 

adjective

hat

2 of 2

verb

hatted; hatting

transitive verb

: to furnish or provide with a hat

intransitive verb

: to make or supply hats

Phrases

under one's hat

: not disclosed

kept the news under his hat

Synonyms

Noun

• cap
• chapeau
• headdress
• headgear
• headpiece
• lid [slang]

Examples of hat in a Sentence

Noun

in those days, no properly dressed person left home without a hat

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The triangular 1980s jackets with jutting shoulders, and precisely angled gaucho hats were weirdly galactic, while the puffballs of evening taffetas had go-go-decade references in their swirls. —Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 7 June 2024

Wear a hat and sunscreen to protect against harmful UV rays when outside. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 June 2024

Wide Brim Sun Hat A wide brim hat is essential for sun-protection, and this one provides UPF 50+ protection and has a chin strap to ensure in stays in place. —Bethany Braun-Silva, ABC News, 5 June 2024

As if that weren’t enough hats to wear, Mortensen composed the music, performing several instruments on the score. —Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hæt; akin to Old High German huot head covering — more at hood entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing hat

• at the drop of a hat
• black hat
• brass hat
• bucket hat
• coat-check/hat-check girl
• cocked hat
• cowboy hat
• doff one's hat to
• flat-hat
• hang one's hat
• hang one's hat on
• hard hat
• hat in hand
• hat trick
• high hat
• hi-hat
• I'll eat my hat
• into a cocked hat
• keep (something) under one's hat
• old hat
• opera hat
• panama hat
• pass the hat
• picture hat
• plug hat
• porkpie hat
• pot hat
• shovel hat
• silk hat
• slouch hat
• straw hat
• sun hat
• take one's hat off to
• talk through one's hat
• ten-gallon hat
• throw/toss one's hat in/into the ring
• tin hat
• tip one's cap/hat
• top hat
• trucker hat
• under one's hat
• white hat

Kids Definition

hat

noun

ˈhat

1

: a covering for the head usually having a shaped crown and brim

2

a

: a distinctive head covering worn as a symbol of office

b

: an office, position, or role assumed as if by the wearing of a special hat

wears many hats in her job