Synonyms

opera hat

American

noun

a man's tall, collapsible top hat, held open or in shape by springs and usually covered with a black, silky fabric.

opera hat British

noun

Also called: gibus. a collapsible top hat operated by a spring

"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 opera hat

First recorded in 1800–10

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.

"I know some members may feel that they look particularly fetching in the opera hat, but it really does make the House of Commons look ridiculous," she told MPs.

From BBC

GIBUS: A man’s collapsible top hat, also called an opera hat.

From Washington Times

GIBUS: A man's collapsible top hat, also called an opera hat.

From US News

Until 1998, MPs were able to wear an "opera hat" to draw attention to themselves to raise a point of order.

From BBC

Shirt, collar, trousers, waistcoat, swallowtail, opera hat, tie, gloves, studs, buttons—everything just his size.

From Project Gutenberg

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