doff: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Literary, archaic, formal, or in specific technical contexts (textiles).
Quick answer
What does “doff” mean?
To remove an item of clothing, especially a hat, as a gesture of respect.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To remove an item of clothing, especially a hat, as a gesture of respect.
To remove or take off something; more broadly, to get rid of or abandon a characteristic, attitude, or role. Often archaic or literary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both varieties consider the word archaic or highly formal in its clothing/hat sense. The textile technical usage might be slightly more recognized in regions with historical manufacturing.
Connotations
Evokes a bygone era of etiquette, chivalry, or historical fiction. In modern use, it can sound deliberately quaint, ironic, or erudite.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, mostly confined to literary works, historical re-enactment, or specific jargon.
Grammar
How to Use “doff” in a Sentence
[Subject] doffs [Object (hat/garment)][Subject] doffs [Object] to [Indirect Object (person)][Subject] doffs [Object] in [Adjunct (respect/greeting)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “doff” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He would doff his cap to the lady as she passed.
- The weaver had to doff the heavy cloth beam every hour.
American English
- The actor doffed his cowboy hat to the cheering crowd.
- It's time to doff our old prejudices and think anew.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Figuratively: 'The CEO doffed his previous strategy and embraced innovation.'
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or costume studies. 'Knights were expected to doff their helmets in the presence of royalty.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in literal sense. Figurative idiom: 'I must doff my hat to her organisational skills.'
Technical
Textile industry: 'The worker must doff the full bobbins from the spinning frame.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “doff”
- Confusing with 'don' (to put on).
- Using it in modern casual contexts unnaturally.
- Spelling: 'doff' not 'doff' or 'dof'.
- Mispronunciation: /dəʊf/ (like 'dough') is incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered archaic, literary, or technical. Its most common modern use is in the figurative idiom 'doff one's hat to' meaning to show respect or admiration.
The direct opposite is 'don', meaning to put on clothing, especially a hat or uniform. Both words are from the same contraction pattern (do + on/off).
Yes, historically it could be used for any garment ('doff your cloak'), and in its figurative sense for attitudes or roles ('doff his arrogance'). Its most specific technical use is in textile manufacturing.
Because the social gesture of men regularly removing hats as a formal sign of respect has largely faded from everyday practice in Western culture, making the specific verb for that action obsolete in common speech.
To remove an item of clothing, especially a hat, as a gesture of respect.
Doff is usually literary, archaic, formal, or in specific technical contexts (textiles). in register.
Doff: in British English it is pronounced /dɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɑːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “doff one's hat to someone/something (figurative: show respect or admiration)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DO take it OFF' = DOFF. It's the opposite of DON (DO put ON).
Conceptual Metaphor
RESPECT IS UNCOVERING THE HEAD / ABANDONING A ROLE IS REMOVING A COSTUME.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'doff' most naturally used today?