black hat

[ blak hat ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a villain, as in a cowboy movie; bad guy.
2. Also called black hat hacker. Computers. a hacker who violates the security of a system without the knowledge or consent of the owner or developer, as for personal profit or for the gratification of causing damage.

black hat

noun

1. informal.
   1. a computer hacker who carries out illegal malicious hacking work
   2. ( as modifier ) Compare white hat

      black-hat hackers

Other Words From

• black-hat black-hat·ted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of black hat¹

First recorded in 1955–60 black hat fordef 1, and in 1990–95 black hat fordef 2; from the black hat worn by the villain in a cowboy movie

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. wear / put on a black hat, Informal, to behave villainously.