top hat

¹ American  

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 American  

[top-hat] / ˈtɒpˈhæt /

adjective

1. of or relating to polite or fashionable society.

---

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

---

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

A commercial artist added the top hat, monocle and cane.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 26, 2025

Body-worn footage featured Bray, wearing a yellow and blue top hat, repeatedly telling police "you've got the wrong map".

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2025

Inside New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome, actor Samuel L. Jackson appeared as Uncle Sam in a star-patterned top hat and introduced the crowd to “the great American game.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2025

Both Grimace and Uncle O’Grimacey are anthropomorphic characters but unlike his nephew, Uncle O’Grimacey is green in color and sports a top hat.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2025

Papa removed his signature skull-rimmed top hat and greeted the girls and Headmarveller Rivera.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton