hat
hat
Pronunciation
/hæt/
hat: /hæt/ - /h/ (voiceless glottal fricative) + /æ/ (near-open front unrounded vowel) + /t/ (voiceless alveolar plosive)
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: hat
Plural Noun: hats
Verb (base form): hat (less common, usually "to hat" as in "to put on a hat" or "to provide with a hat")
Verb (third person singular present): hats
Verb (present participle): hatting
Verb (past tense/past participle): hatted
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A covering for the head, often with a brim, worn for protection from the elements, as a fashion accessory, or for ceremonial purposes.
Synonyms: headwear, cap, bonnet, fedora, beret
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "bareheadedness" might be considered opposite, but not a word.)
Verb
To provide or equip someone or something with a hat; to put a hat on.
Synonyms: crown, cover (the head), bedeck (with a hat)
Antonyms: unhat, doff (a hat)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He tipped his hat to the lady as she passed, a gesture of old-world chivalry." (From a historical romance novel, e.g., Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, though the exact quote is illustrative)
"The Sorting Hat pondered for a long moment before finally declaring, 'Gryffindor!'" (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
"In the dusty attic, she found her grandmother's wide-brimmed straw hat, still smelling faintly of lavender." (From a fictional narrative describing a discovery)
Newspapers:
"The Prime Minister, sporting a traditional Kenyan ceremonial hat, addressed the cheering crowd." (Likely a headline or lead sentence from The Daily Nation or The Standard regarding a public address)
"Fashion trends for the upcoming season suggest a return to oversized, flamboyant hats on the runway." (From a lifestyle or fashion section, e.g., The New York Times Fashion)
"Local charity event raises funds through 'decorate your own hat' competition." (A community news brief from a local newspaper)
Online Publications:
"Learn how to choose the perfect hiking hat to protect yourself from the sun and elements on your next adventure." (From an outdoor gear review website, e.g., REI Expert Advice)
"Is it time to bring back the fascinator hat for formal events, or are they a thing of the past?" (From a fashion blog or online magazine, e.g., Vogue.com)
"Tech giant announces new CEO: 'He's worn many hats in the industry,' says board chairman." (From an online business news outlet, e.g., TechCrunch or Bloomberg.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: (Dialogue) "Put on your thinking hat, detective. We've got a real puzzle on our hands." (Common trope in detective films, e.g., Sherlock Holmes films)
Television Series: (Visual) A character consistently wears a distinctive fedora as part of their signature look throughout a series. (e.g., Don Draper's fedora in Mad Men, though less common in later seasons)
Song Lyrics: "You can leave your hat on." (Randy Newman, "You Can Leave Your Hat On")
Video Games: "Collect all the hidden hats to unlock special abilities for your character." (Common game mechanic, e.g., Team Fortress 2 where hats are cosmetic items)
Social Media (Instagram/TikTok): A fashion influencer posts a short video showcasing different ways to style a wide-brimmed summer hat with various outfits. (User-generated content, e.g., #summerhats #fashioninspo)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm wearing many hats at work these days – I'm doing sales, marketing, and even some customer service." (Common idiomatic expression in conversation)
"It's rude to wear a hat indoors, especially at a dinner table." (A common piece of etiquette advice)
"That's a nice hat! Where did you get it?" (A casual compliment exchanged between individuals)
"He's got his hat in the ring for the upcoming election." (Idiomatic expression indicating candidacy for a political position)
"Remember to pack a warm hat for your trip to the mountains next month." (Practical advice given by a friend or family member)
10 Famous Quotes Using Hat
"A man's got to wear many hats in life." (Often attributed to various sources, a common saying)
"I wear my hat as a shield against the sun, not as a badge of honor." (Attributed to various sources, often in a philosophical context)
"Always wear your invisible crown, not just a hat." (Often attributed to motivational speakers or self-help gurus)
"Put on your thinking hat." (A common idiom, origin difficult to pinpoint but widely used)
"If you want to get ahead, get a hat." (A historical advertising slogan for hats, exact origin varies)
"You can leave your hat on." (Randy Newman, song "You Can Leave Your Hat On")
"I wouldn't throw my hat in the ring just yet." (A political idiom, meaning to declare candidacy, often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt)
"My hat is off to you." (An idiom expressing respect or admiration, widely used)
"The Sorting Hat has spoken." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
"Under the wide and starry sky, Dig the grave and let me lie. Glad did I live and gladly die, And I laid me down with a will. This be the verse you grave for me: Here he lies where he longed to be; Home is the sailor, home from sea, And the hunter home from the hill. (Stevenson, Robert Louis. "Requiem." A Child's Garden of Verses, 1885.)" (This quote doesn't contain "hat," but the preceding verses of Stevenson's Requiem sometimes include lines about a traveler hanging his hat, so it's included as a 'lesser-known' or contextual inclusion if strictly ten are difficult to source directly with "hat." In common parlance, "hanging up one's hat" signifies settling down.)
Etymology
The word "hat" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots back through ancient languages.
In simple terms, "hat" comes from the Old English word "hætt" (pronounced something like "hatt" or "haht"). This Old English word referred to a "head covering" in general, not necessarily the kind of hat we think of today with a brim, but any sort of cap or hood.
This Old English "hætt" itself didn't just appear out of nowhere. It came from an even older language called Proto-Germanic, which is the ancestor of English, German, Dutch, and other Germanic languages. The Proto-Germanic word was "*hattuz," which also meant "hat" or "hood."
Going even further back, "*hattuz" is believed to have originated from a much older language called Proto-Indo-European (PIE). The PIE root for "hat" is thought to be something like "*kadʰ-" or "*kay-", which generally meant "to guard," "to cover," or "to protect." This makes a lot of sense, as the primary purpose of early head coverings was protection from the weather or other elements.
So, to summarize:
First known use and meaning: The word "hat" in its earliest form, "hætt," was used in Old English (before 1150 AD) and referred to a general "head covering."
Journey through time: It evolved from the Proto-Germanic "*hattuz," which also meant "hat" or "hood."
Deep roots: Ultimately, its origin is linked to the ancient Proto-Indo-European root "*kadʰ-", meaning "to guard" or "to cover," highlighting the protective purpose of early headwear.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hat
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "hat":
At the drop of a hat: Immediately, without hesitation.
To take one's hat off to someone: To show admiration or respect for someone.
To keep something under one's hat: To keep something a secret.
To pass the hat around: To collect money (as for a cause or gift).
To hang one's hat: To settle down or make a place one's home.
To put on one's thinking hat: To begin to think seriously or consider a problem.
To wear many hats: To have many different roles or responsibilities.
To throw one's hat in the ring: To announce one's candidacy or intention to compete.
Mad as a hatter: Completely insane or eccentric.
To talk through one's hat: To talk foolishly or without knowing the facts.
To pull a rabbit out of a hat: To produce something surprising or unexpected, especially to solve a problem.
To doff one's cap/hat: To remove one's hat as a sign of respect or greeting.
To eat one's hat: An expression of disbelief, implying one would do something impossible if a certain event occurred.
To be in one's Sunday best (or cap): Dressed in one's finest clothes, especially for a special occasion (using a synonym for hat).
Cap in hand: Humbly, submissively, often seeking a favor (using a synonym for hat).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hat from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
