plural fezzes also fezes
: a brimless cylindrical or somewhat cone-shaped hat with a flat top that usually has a tassel, is typically made of red felt, and is worn especially by men in eastern Mediterranean countries
fezzed adjective

Illustration of fez

Illustration of fez

Examples of fez in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Shriners would become known for their philanthropy — funding children’s hospitals — but they would also be known for their zanier side: donning fezzes and zipping around in tiny cars. John Kelly, Washington Post, 25 Feb. 2023 Bertie has been invited to many children’s tea parties and sleepovers and has endured wearing a dress, a fez and being a unicorn. Urmee Khan, CNN, 20 Mar. 2023 The director’s project was inspired by his father, an electrician who used to repair movie houses in the south, and his grandfather, who was a sailor and hakawati – a storyteller who sported a red fez while recounting folkloric tales in Tyre’s old cafes. Aj Naddaff, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar. 2022 For Christmas, the family went to Morocco, where Xavier learned why some people wear a fez or hijab. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2023 This will be Eddie's torture chamber and the source of his liberation, overseen by a cryptic doctor (Noel Bowers, sporting a nifty fez) and a pair of temptresses, the blonde Estelle (Karina Pal Montaño Bowers) and the brunette Marie (Jenna Morris). Chris Vognar, Chron, 12 Feb. 2023 That history helps explain why Sabbatai’s successor, Jacob Frank, dressed in Turkish fashion throughout his life, wearing curved shoes and a tall fez. Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2022 To add allure, Ellsworth outfitted his men—and himself—in exotic Zouave uniforms inspired by Algerian legionnaires: billowing red trousers, white gaiters, short blue jackets, gold sashes and fez-style, tasseled hats. Harold Holzer, WSJ, 28 Dec. 2021 The kids play in their everyday clothes - tunic with belt, long baggy pants, turban or fez, and athletic shoes. jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fez.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Fez, Morocco

First Known Use

circa 1803, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fez was circa 1803

Dictionary Entries Near fez

Cite this Entry

“Fez.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fez. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

fez

noun
plural fezzes
: a round red felt hat that has a flat top and a tassel but no brim

More from Merriam-Webster on fez

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