broadbrim: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/ArchaicFormal/Historical/Descriptive
Quick answer
What does “broadbrim” mean?
A type of hat characterized by a very wide brim.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of hat characterized by a very wide brim.
Often used specifically to refer to the wide-brimmed hats historically worn by Quakers (Society of Friends) and other religious groups, and more generally to any wide-brimmed hat, especially for sun protection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally rare and historical in both varieties. British usage may have a slightly stronger historical connection to descriptions of Quakers in English history.
Connotations
Historical, quaint, religious (specifically Quaker), old-fashioned.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern usage. Found almost exclusively in historical novels, texts, or very specific descriptive writing about fashion history.
Grammar
How to Use “broadbrim” in a Sentence
wear a broadbrimbe shaded by a broadbrimdressed in a broadbrimVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “broadbrim” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The portrait showed a man in broadbrim attire.
- He favoured a broadbrim style.
American English
- She wore a broadbrim sunhat for gardening.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, religious, or fashion studies contexts.
Everyday
Not used in modern everyday conversation.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “broadbrim”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to broadbrim').
- Using it to describe any modern wide-brimmed hat without historical nuance.
- Misspelling as 'broad-brim' or 'broad brim' (though 'broad-brimmed' is standard for the adjective).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare and considered archaic or historical. You will almost never hear it in modern conversation.
Technically, yes, but it sounds very old-fashioned or literary. In modern English, 'wide-brimmed hat' or specific names like 'sunhat' or 'floppy hat' are more natural.
It is most strongly associated with the plain, wide-brimmed hats worn by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in the 17th-19th centuries.
Primarily a noun. It can sometimes be used attributively as an adjective (e.g., 'a broadbrim hat'), but 'broad-brimmed' is the standard adjective form.
A type of hat characterized by a very wide brim.
Broadbrim is usually formal/historical/descriptive in register.
Broadbrim: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɔːdbrɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɑːdbrɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated. The term itself is almost descriptive enough to be idiomatic.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BROAD (wide) BRIM on a hat. It's a simple compound word describing its key feature.
Conceptual Metaphor
HAT AS SYMBOL OF PIETY/HISTORICAL IDENTITY (when referring to Quakers).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'broadbrim' most appropriately used?