beret

American  

[buh-rey] / bəˈreɪ /

noun

1. a soft, visorless cap with a close-fitting headband and a wide, round top often with a tab at its center.

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beret British  

/ ˈbɛreɪ /

noun

1. a round close-fitting brimless cap of soft wool material or felt

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Etymology

Origin of beret

1820–30; < French < Gascon berret, OPr. ber ( r ) et. See biretta

Explanation

A beret is a round, soft hat. Berets were first made in 17th-century France, and they're still commonly associated with that country. If you enjoy French culture, you might don a beret while eating baguettes with brie. We can trace the origin of beret back to the Late Latin birrus, "large, hooded cloak," and since the word itself is French, the t is silent — beret rhymes with tray. From the time they were invented, berets have been casual, fashionable caps most often made of wool or felt. The armies of several countries, including Italy and the U.S. Special Forces, also wear berets as part of their uniform.