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Synonyms

beanie

American  
[bee-nee] / ˈbi ni /

noun

  1. a close-fitting knit cap worn in cold weather.

  2. a small cap, brimless or with a short bill, often brightly colored, constructed of triangular pieces of cloth joined at the top by a button and popularized in the early 20th century as worn by college freshmen.


beanie British  
/ ˈbiːnɪ /

noun

  1. a round close-fitting hat resembling a skullcap

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of beanie

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; bean + -ie

Compare meaning

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The viral photograph of federal authorities apprehending little Liam Conejo Ramos in his bunny ear beanie and Spider-Man backpack stunned viewers across the country, filling them with horror and rage.

From Salon • Mar. 2, 2026

An oil painting depicting a smiling Pretti in glasses, a beanie and a scarf, was among the most recent.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

Biery closed his order with a reproduction of the heartbreaking and now-viral photograph of 5-year-old Liam, wearing his blue doggie-eared beanie, his Spider-Man backpack clutched by an immigration agent.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2026

The patron was well covered, wearing a black hoodie, a medical mask and a tan beanie.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

“I’ve literally never seen you take off that beanie, but you’re giving me shit for this?”

From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi