hat trick

noun

1

: the scoring of three goals in one game (as of hockey or soccer) by a single player

2

: the dismissing (see dismiss sense 4) of three batsmen with three consecutive balls by a bowler in cricket

3

: a series of three victories, successes, or related accomplishments

… scored a hat trick when her three best steers corralled top honors …

—People

Did you know?

It may surprise some people to learn that the term "hat trick" as it relates to sports actually originated in British cricket. A bowler who retired three batsmen with three consecutive balls was entitled to a new hat at the expense of the club to commemorate this feat. Eventually, the phrase was applied to a single player scoring three goals in any goal sport and later to three victories or successes in sports as different as horse racing and golf. The phrase finally broadened to include a string of three important successes or achievements in any field.

Examples of hat trick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kirill Kaprizov completed his hat trick on a power play with less than two minutes to play, lifting Minnesota to a 5-4 win and pulling the Wild back into contention for home ice in the playoffs. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026

Denis Bouanga scored three goals, his fifth career hat trick in MLS, and Son Heung-min had four assists to help LAFC beat Orlando City 6-0 on Saturday night. —Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026

The New York Rangers host the Washington Capitals after Gabriel Perreault's hat trick against the Detroit Red Wings in the Rangers' 4-1 win. —ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026

Boys lacrosse Levi Tripp and Braeden Silva tallied hat tricks to propel Bridgewater-Raynham to a 9-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference win over Dartmouth. —Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from the former practice of rewarding the feat with the gift of a hat

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for hat trick

• broomstick
• dipstick
• homesick
• joystick
• lipstick
• nonstick
• pickwick
• picnic
• redbrick
• seasick
• sidekick
• slapstick

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!