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.

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top-hat ² American  

[top-hat] / ˈtɒpˈhæt /

adjective

1. of or relating to polite or fashionable society.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of top hat¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Origin of top-hat¹

First recorded in 1890–95; adj. use of top hat

Example Sentences

The lady wore a long fur coat, the gentleman a gleaming silk top hat.

From Literature

Whitten stood on stage in a top hat and his hair in a zany afro — which was actually a weave installed by four Senegalese women for the price of $2,600, says Sykes.

From Los Angeles Times

There were men in top hats and white gloves standing on a platform built just for them.

From Literature

A few clicks on Google will find decades of stories raising doubts about his suitability, often accompanied by pictures of Andrew in a top hat, like a renegade Monopoly piece.

From BBC

Sadly, however, one of Harris’ most famous additions did not survive the owners’ renovations: his “Magic Man Cave,” where he stored his top hats and wands and performed magic tricks.

From MarketWatch