Hat Definition: Head Covering Meaning, Types & Examples

Meaning 1：head covering (hat)

hat 🔊

/hæt/

A piece of clothing you wear on your head to keep warm, shade your eyes, or look nice. It usually has a brim and a round or flat top.

Person wearing a wide-brimmed straw sun hat in a sunny park

head covering 🔊

➕

/ˈhɛd ˌkʌvərɪŋ/

A hat is an item of clothing worn on the head for protection, fashion, or religious purposes, typically with a brim and crown.

📁 Category：Fashion Trends 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Old English 'hæt', from Proto-Germanic *hattuz, meaning 'head covering'.

💡 Mnemonic

HAT: Head's Adornment Tool. Picture a hat as a cozy cover for your head.

📖 Example

The sun was very strong, so she put on a wide-brimmed hat before going out. 🔊 The sun was very strong, so she put on a wide-brimmed hat before going out.

🔗 Collocations

wear a hat – to put a hat on your head

take off one's hat – to remove a hat from one's head

straw hat – a hat made from woven straw, often worn in sunny weather

🔄 Synonyms

cap (n.) – A soft, fitted head covering without a brim, often worn for sports or casual use.

bonnet (n.) – A type of hat tied under the chin, typically worn by women or babies.

beret (n.) – A round, soft, flat-crowned hat, often associated with French culture and artists.

🌱 Derivatives

hatter (n.) – A person who makes or sells hats.

hatless (adj.) – Not wearing a hat.

hatband (n.) – A band around a hat, often for decoration or adjustment.

📖 Cultural Story

From Old English hæt, akin to hood. Hats have indicated social status for centuries, e.g., top hats in the 19th century and cowboy hats in American culture.