Jump to:

• top hat
  top hat

  noun

  a tall, cylindrical hat with a stiff brim usually slightly curved on the sides, worn by men especially on formal occasions.
• top-hat
  top-hat

  adjective

  of or relating to polite or fashionable society.

top hat

¹ American  

noun

1. a tall, cylindrical hat with a stiff brim usually slightly curved on the sides, worn by men especially on formal occasions.

---

top-hat ² American  

[top-hat] / ˈtɒpˈhæt /

adjective

1. of or relating to polite or fashionable society.

---

top hat British  

noun

1. Also called: high hat.  a man's hat with a tall cylindrical crown and narrow brim, often made of silk, now worn for some formal occasions

---

Etymology

Origin of top hat¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Origin of top-hat²

First recorded in 1890–95; adj. use of top hat

Example Sentences

She went on to dance for many years, reaching what she said was "a decent standard", and even performed on stage in a top hat and tails.

From BBC • Dec. 19, 2025

A commercial artist added the top hat, monocle and cane.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 26, 2025

A true rock ’n’ roll persona, the artist was once rarely seen without a drooping cigarette and a top hat, the latter of which could barely contain his face-engulfing curly hair.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025

Body-worn footage featured Bray, wearing a yellow and blue top hat, repeatedly telling police "you've got the wrong map".

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2025

I realized that I didn't want boring in my life, and that a cape and top hat were so much more interesting than the black-and-white tuxedo every other guy was wearing.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi