straw hat
Definition
Noun: 1. A stiff hat made of straw with a flat crown: A type of lightweight, rigid hat, traditionally woven from straw or similar materials, designed to provide shade from the sun. It is characterized by its firm structure and typically flat top.
Usage
The term "straw hat" is used to refer to the specific headwear item itself. It is a common noun. * He tipped his straw hat to greet the lady. * For the garden party, a straw hat is both stylish and practical. * The classic straw hat is an essential part of summer attire.
Advanced Usage
- As a symbol: A straw hat can symbolize summer, leisure, or a bygone era.
- The painting, with its figure in a straw hat, evoked a sense of rustic simplicity.
- In historical or cultural context: Refers to a specific style of headgear common in certain periods or regions.
- In the early 20th century, the straw hat was standard summer wear for men in cities.
Variants and Related Words
- Boater: A specific type of stiff straw hat with a flat crown and straight brim, often associated with formal summer wear in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Panama hat: A fine, flexible hat hand-woven from the leaves of the plant, originally from Ecuador. While often called a "straw hat," it is a specific, high-quality variant.
- Skimmer: Another term for a boater.
Synonyms
- Sun hat: A broader term for any hat designed to protect from the sun.
- Boater: (See Variants and Related Words).
Antonyms
- Winter hat: A general term for hats designed for cold weather (e.g., beanie, ushanka).
- Felt hat: A hat made from pressed fur, often worn in cooler seasons (e.g., fedora, trilby).
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Straw hat season/theatre/circuit: Refers to summer theatrical productions, traditionally performed in venues where audiences wore informal summer attire like straw hats.
- The actor spent his summers performing in the straw hat circuit in New England.
Noun
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a stiff hat made of straw with a flat crown
