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

Gauthier extended his goals streak to six games and his points streak to a career best-tying eight games with his fourth multi-goal performance during this electric sequence, including three of his four career hat tricks. — Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026

But the hat trick won’t change the fact that Diaby is in the final year of his rookie contract. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026

Their onslaught was spearheaded by Adrian Kempe’s fifth career hat trick, which sent them on to just their second victory on home ice this season but the second of this homestand. — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 5 Nov. 2026

At 228 career games, Cooley became the fastest active player to have five career hat tricks, besting Alex Ovechkin by two games. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 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

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