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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

top hats plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• top hats
  plural

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

At the movie’s premiere, Dolan embodied the wizard, appearing in an emerald green suit and top hat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

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

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 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

He had a black top hat on his head.

From "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl