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

That included six hat tricks, a mark that had been reached in only 13 seasons, ever. —Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

Messi scored a hat trick in that game. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025

Sears had goals in the 8th, 55th and 84th minutes for her hat trick. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025

The latter was made the choice over one of seven former champions racing Saturday, Rebel’s Romance (5-2), who could become the first horse to win the $5 million Turf three times and only the third horse ever to complete a Cup hat trick. —Jay Posner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025

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

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