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 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 few clicks on Google will find decades of stories raising doubts about his suitability, often accompanied by pictures of Andrew in a top hat, like a renegade Monopoly piece.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2025

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

Sidana still had his top hat and was finishing off a pre-battle snack, which, from here, looked like a raw hot dog.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda