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• 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.

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top-hat ² American  

[top-hat] / ˈtɒpˈhæt /

adjective

1. of or relating to polite or fashionable society.

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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

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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

It’s all just bravado and illusion in a show where the magician has no bunnies left to pull from his top hat.

From Salon • May 28, 2026

It made absolutely no sense, but she delivered it with such panache that it barely mattered – even when she ended the performance by pulling a dove out of a top hat.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 26, 2025

They entered the stage in a top hat, white sequined leotard, rhinestone heels, sporting a long, thick braid attached to their hair.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2025

Through his mask, Chandresh sees only the still grey suit, the hovering top hat.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern