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View synonyms for hat

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. Compare red hat.


verb (used with object)

, hat·ted, hat·ting.
  1. to provide with a hat; put a hat on.

hat

/ hæt /

noun

    1. any of various head coverings, esp one with a brim and a shaped crown
    2. ( in combination )

      hatrack

  1. informal.
    a role or capacity
  2. at the drop of a hat
    without hesitation or delay
  3. I'll eat my hat informal.
    I will be greatly surprised if (something that proves me wrong) happens

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

  4. hat in hand
    humbly or servilely
  5. keep something under one's hat
    to keep something secret
  6. my hat informal.
    interjection
    1. my word! my goodness!
    2. nonsense!
  7. old hat
    something stale or old-fashioned
  8. out of a hat
    1. as if by magic
    2. at random
  9. pass the hat round or send the hat round
    to collect money, as for a cause
  10. take off one's hat to
    to admire or congratulate
  11. talk through one's hat
    1. to talk foolishly
    2. to deceive or bluff
  12. throw one's hat at it
    to give up all hope of getting or achieving something

    you can throw your hat at it now

  13. throw one's hat in the ring or toss one's hat in the ring
    to announce one's intentions to be a candidate or contestant
“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


verb

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

  • ˈhatless, adjective
  • ˈhatˌlike, adjective
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Other Words From

  • hatless adjective
  • hatless·ness noun
  • hatlike adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of hat1

before 900; Middle English; Old English hætt; cognate with Old Norse hǫttr hood; akin to hood 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of hat1

Old English hætt; related to Old Norse höttr cap, Latin cassis helmet; see hood 1
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. hat in hand, humbly; respectfully:

    He approached the boss, hat in hand.

  2. 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.

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

    We took off our hats to their courage and daring.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. under one's hat, confidential; private; secret:

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

  7. 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.

More idioms and phrases containing hat

  • at the drop of a hat
  • brass hat
  • 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
  • cap
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Example Sentences

Adjusting to changes at the drop of a hat is common in most kitchens, but it’s something Rivera was used to well before he started working in restaurants.

From Eater

Decades after her stint in Scandinavia, she still watched Ingmar Bergman films without the subtitles — and wore a small top hat, conferred on her along with an honorary doctorate by the University of Lund, to academic occasions.

From Ozy

For a fleeting moment, I was Jackie Kennedy sans the pink Chanel suit and matching pillbox hat.

Don’t buy GOODYEAR TIRES – They announced a BAN ON MAGA HATS.

From Fortune

In high school, we began knitting, starting with sweaters and hats.

Stetson returned east in 1865 and created his own hat company, which produced high-quality hats made for outdoor use.

Based on the hat he had created for himself, Stetson made a version called “The Boss of the Plains.”

While panning for gold, he made himself a large hat from the hides he had collected on his trip.

John B. Stetson was born in 1830 in New Jersey, the son of a hat maker.

A gifted marketer, he sent samples of the hat to merchandisers all over the West, asking for a minimum order of a dozen.

Behold a dumpy, comfortable British paterfamilias in a light flannel suit and a faded sun hat.

On his head was the second-hand hat of some parvenu's coachman, gold lace, cockade and all.

"I hope you don't think I speak always to strangers, like that," said the girl in the rose hat.

Afterwards we saw you once or twice at tea at the Ritz, and you took off your hat, so you must have remembered then.

His face flushed with annoyance, and taking off his soft hat he began to beat it impatiently against his leg as he walked.

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Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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