hat

American  

[hat] / hæt /

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.

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verb (used with object)

hatted, hatting

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

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.

hat British  

/ 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

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verb

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

hat More Idioms  

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

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Other Word Forms

• hatless
  adjective
• hatlessness
  noun
• hatlike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of hat

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

Example Sentences

Last year, she moved to take a job at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and regularly began wearing a large-brimmed hat, sunglasses and plenty of sun cream.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

A jaunty denim hat that would look silly on pretty much anyone else.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

“They felt at this point that if they throw their hat in the ring, that they’re going to have actually a shot at getting elected. And that’s what happened,” Ramos said.

From Salon • May 7, 2026

At times, elites used hat etiquette in reverse.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2026

A tall kid with long black hair wearing a sheepskin-lined jean jacket, big silver belt buckle, and a black cowboy hat was looking around the grounds, obviously befuddled.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• fedora
• headgear
• helmet