hat
hat
Hat (noun) means a covering worn on the head, often with a brim. Example: “She wore a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off her face.”
noun
1
A covering worn on the head, often with a brim.
"She wore a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off her face."
"He tipped his hat to the neighbours as he walked past."
"Don't forget your woolly hat, because it's freezing outside."
2
A particular role, job, or responsibility a person takes on.
"As the only IT person in the office, he wears many hats."
"At the meeting I'm wearing my parent hat, not my teacher hat."
"Putting on her manager's hat, she told the team to finish early."
verb
1
To put a hat on someone or something.
"The stylist hatted the model for the winter shoot."
"She hatted the snowman with an old bucket."
"The children hatted every scarecrow in the garden for the festival."
How to use hat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA piece of clothing for the head — or, figuratively, one of several roles someone juggles.
Memory tip
"Wear many hats" is a common idiom meaning someone does several different jobs, not literal headwear.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
wear many hats
tip your hat
throw your hat in the ring
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Word forms
- Plural
- hats
- Third person singular
- hats
- Past tense
- hatted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wore a wide-brimmed _____ to keep the sun off her face.
Etymology
From Old English hætt, going back to a very old Germanic word for headgear, related to words in Norse, Frisian, and Scandinavian languages.
Related words
Rhymes for hat
See all rhymes for hat →Frequently asked questions
What does “hat” mean?
The word “hat” means a covering worn on the head, often with a brim. In plain terms, a piece of clothing for the head — or, figuratively, one of several roles someone juggles.
How do you pronounce “hat”?
“Hat” is pronounced hat (/hæt/ in IPA).
How do you use “hat” in a sentence?
Here is “hat” used in a sentence: “She wore a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off her face.”
What part of speech is “hat”?
Depending on how it is used, “hat” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hat” come from?
The word “hat” comes from Old English. From Old English hætt, going back to a very old Germanic word for headgear, related to words in Norse, Frisian, and Scandinavian languages.
Is “hat” a common word?
“Hat” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “hat” have?
“Hat” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a covering worn on the head, often with a brim.
What is the difference between a hat and a cap?
A cap is really a type of hat, so all caps are hats but not all hats are caps. A cap is typically soft and close-fitting with a peak at the front and no full brim, like a baseball cap. "Hat" is the broader term and often implies a brim running all the way around.
What are the different types of hats?
There are countless styles. Common ones include the baseball cap, beanie, fedora, trilby, panama, bowler, top hat, flat cap, sun hat, and beret. Some are worn for warmth, such as woolly hats; others for sun protection, formality, sport, or fashion. Many are named after their shape, material, or place of origin.
Why do people wear hats?
People wear hats for practical and social reasons alike. A hat can shield the head from sun, rain, or cold, protect against injury in the case of hard hats, or signal a job or rank, as with a chef's or police officer's hat. Many are also worn purely as fashion or personal style.
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