skullcap

noun

skull·​cap ˈskəl-ˌkap 

1

: a close-fitting cap

especially : a light brimless cap for indoor wear

2

: any of various mints (genus Scutellaria) having a bell-shaped calyx that when inverted resembles a helmet

3

: the upper portion of the skull : calvarium

Examples of skullcap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Designed to be used directly after cleansing, the blend of herbal ingredients (including ginseng, skullcap, and madecassoside, a compound found in cica) works to support your skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and promote a more youthful-looking complexion. —Emily Orofino, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2025

In many ways the pillbox hat is the perfect winter successor to the crochet skullcaps that were all over Copenhagen Fashion Week this August. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 6 Nov. 2025

Each round is drenched in 0.45% white willow bark (a.k.a. BHA) to clear blackheads and minimize the look of pores, 4.5% citric acid to smooth uneven texture, and cypress tree leaf and skullcap to curb sebum production. —Sarah Han, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025

Riley, who entered the courtroom wearing a white skullcap and a bright orange jumpsuit, had been scheduled for a detention hearing. —Carrie Johnson, NPR, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for skullcap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• madcap

Kids Definition

skullcap

noun

skull·​cap ˈskəl-ˌkap 

: a close-fitting cap

especially : a light cap without brim for indoor wear

Medical Definition

skullcap

noun

skull·​cap ˈskəl-ˌkap 

: the upper portion of the skull : calvarium