top hat

¹

noun

1. a tall, cylindrical hat with a stiff brim usually slightly curved on the sides, worn by men especially on formal occasions.

top-hat

²

[ top-hat ]

adjective

1. of or relating to polite or fashionable society.

top hat

noun

1. a man's hat with a tall cylindrical crown and narrow brim, often made of silk, now worn for some formal occasions Also calledhigh hat

Word History and Origins

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

Around this time, Slash established his iconic look: Top hat and shades.

From The Daily Beast

The gentleman seen with the weird guy in the bear suit is wearing a tuxedo, but not a top hat.

From The Daily Beast

Planters is tipping its top hat to Robert Downey, Jr., who the company revealed as the first-ever voice of Mr. Peanut this week.

From The Daily Beast

The man stood before him in top-hat, a cutaway revealed through the folds of his fur coat.

From Project Gutenberg

He always wore a frock-coat green with age and a very old top-hat and very shiny trousers.

From Project Gutenberg

His shoulders were broad, his top-hat glossy, and his overcoat fitted beautifully round the collar.

From Project Gutenberg

His hair, or at least what was visible outside a top hat of wondrous style, was grey.

From Project Gutenberg

"Good morning, gentlemen," he said, with a flourish of his top hat.

From Project Gutenberg