red hat
Americannoun
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the broad-brimmed official hat of a Roman Catholic cardinal, symbolic of the office or rank of a cardinal.
-
a cardinal.
noun
-
the broad-brimmed crimson hat given to cardinals as the symbol of their rank and office
-
the rank and office of a cardinal
Etymology
Origin of red hat
First recorded in 1590–1600
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’ve been wearing that red hat for 20 years.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
Paddington politely greeted photographers on his way in, dressed for the weather in his hallmark bright blue coat and red hat.
From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2026
There are no viral clips, no TikTok reactions from red hat superfans and no manufactured outrage that turns into free publicity.
From Salon ● Jan. 31, 2026
The statement described the suspect as a Black male, approximately 6 feet tall, last seen wearing a red hat, a black sweater, and black shoes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2025
She stood there in the doorway, holding the red hat in her hand and her clothes draped over one arm.
From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns
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.
