top hat

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See synonyms for top hat on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Compare beaver¹ (def. 4), opera hat, silk hat.

Origin of top hat

First recorded in 1800–10

Words nearby top hat

topgallant sail, top gear, top grafting, top gun, tophamper, top hat, top-hat scheme, top-heavy, Tophet, top-hole, tophus

Other definitions for top hat (2 of 2)

top-hat

[ top-hat ]

/ ˈtɒpˈhæt /

adjective

of or relating to polite or fashionable society.

Origin of top-hat

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

How to use top hat in a sentence

With a grimace on my face and my finest Scrooge top hat on, I swan-dived into the avalanche of content.
The Normalizing of Horrible Christmas Movies Must Be Stopped|Kevin Fallon|December 17, 2021|The Daily Beast
One hundred grams of flour will always be 100 grams, whether you measure it in a cup, a bowl, a Frisbee, or a top hat.
Best kitchen scales: This handy kitchen essential is a must-have for baking and beyond|Irena Collaku|July 24, 2021|Popular-Science
Fast-forward to 1961, when a Baltimore newspaper pleaded with John Kennedy to restore the top hat to men’s formal fashion wear and make his inauguration “more memorable for children.”
A presidential inauguration for the history books|Marylou Tousignant|January 20, 2021|Washington Post
Around this time, Slash established his iconic look: Top hat and shades.
Slash Talks Guns N’ Roses’ Future, New Album ‘Apocalyptic Love,’ and More|Marlow Stern|May 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The gentleman seen with the weird guy in the bear suit is wearing a tuxedo, but not a top hat.
Best New York Times Corrections Ever: 'The Shining,' Twilight Sparkle & More|Josh Dzieza|February 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Planters is tipping its top hat to Robert Downey, Jr., who the company revealed as the first-ever voice of Mr. Peanut this week.
Stars Behind the Commercials|The Daily Beast|November 11, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The man stood before him in top-hat, a cutaway revealed through the folds of his fur coat.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
He always wore a frock-coat green with age and a very old top-hat and very shiny trousers.
Sinister Street, vol. 1|Compton Mackenzie
His shoulders were broad, his top-hat glossy, and his overcoat fitted beautifully round the collar.
Masterpieces of Mystery, Vol. 1 (of 4)|Various
His hair, or at least what was visible outside a top hat of wondrous style, was grey.
The Dreadnought of the Air|Percy F. Westerman
"Good morning, gentlemen," he said, with a flourish of his top hat.
The Daffodil Mystery|Edgar Wallace

British Dictionary definitions for top hat

top hat

noun

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

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

top hat

Origin of top hat

Words nearby top hat

Other definitions for top hat (2 of 2)

Origin of top-hat

Words related to top hat

How to use top hat in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for top hat