hat

[hat]

noun

1. a shaped covering for the head, usually with a crown and brim, especially for wear outdoors.

2. Roman Catholic Church.

   1. the distinctive head covering of a cardinal.

   2. the office or dignity of a cardinal.

verb (used with object)

hatted, hatting 

1. to provide with a hat; put a hat on.

hat

/ hæt /

noun

1. 1. any of various head coverings, esp one with a brim and a shaped crown

   2. ( in combination )

      hatrack

2. informal,  a role or capacity

3. without hesitation or delay

4. informal,  I will be greatly surprised if (something that proves me wrong) happens

   I'll eat my hat if this book comes out late

5. humbly or servilely

6. to keep something secret

7. informal,  (interjection)

   1. my word! my goodness!

   2. nonsense!

8. something stale or old-fashioned

9. 1. as if by magic

   2. at random

10. to collect money, as for a cause

11. to admire or congratulate

12. 1. to talk foolishly

    2. to deceive or bluff

13. to give up all hope of getting or achieving something

    you can throw your hat at it now

14. to announce one's intentions to be a candidate or contestant

verb

1. (tr) to supply (a person, etc) with a hat or put a hat on (someone)

Other Word Forms

• hatless adjective
• hatlessness noun
• hatlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hat¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English hætt; cognate with Old Norse hǫttr hood; akin to hood ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of hat¹

Old English hætt; related to Old Norse höttr cap, Latin cassis helmet; see _hood ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. wear two / several hats, to function in more than one capacity; fill two or more positions.

   He wears two hats, serving as the company's comptroller as well as its chief executive officer.

2. take off one's hat to, to express high regard for; praise.

   We took off our hats to their courage and daring.

3. talk through one's hat, to speak without knowing the facts; make unsupported or incorrect statements.

   He is talking through his hat when he says he'll make the team.

4. throw / toss one's hat in the ring, to become a participant in a contest, especially to declare one's candidacy for political office.

   His friends are urging him to throw his hat in the ring.

5. under one's hat, confidential; private; secret.

   I'll tell you the real story, but keep it under your hat.

6. hat in hand, humbly; respectfully.

   He approached the boss, hat in hand.

7. pass the hat, to ask for contributions of money, as for charity; take up a collection.

   The lodge members passed the hat to send underprivileged children to summer camp.

More idioms and phrases containing hat

• at the drop of a hat
• brass hat
• cap
• eat one's hat
• hang on to your hat
• hang up (one's hat)
• hard hat
• hats off to
• keep under one's hat
• knock into a cocked hat
• pass the hat
• pull out of a hat
• take one's hat off to
• talk through one's hat
• throw one's hat in the ring
• wear another hat

Example Sentences

It made the now 34-year-old the kind of person who religiously applies sunscreen multiple times a day and rarely leaves the house without a hat.

From BBC

Slash has become such a Halloween Horror Nights fixture that this year will feature a bar centered around the artist, one complete with a mini top hat as a dessert.

From Los Angeles Times

That coveted position belonged to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the man who wears at least four hats in the current administration.

From Salon

For Eisenson, whose character had a penchant for repeating “chicken butt,” she got him a hat inscribed with the phrase.

From Los Angeles Times

With the bucket hats, there's been a real interest, people have stopped to chat and the locals have welcomed us to the city.

From BBC

Related Words

• fedora 
• headgear 
• helmet