hooded top: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1informal, everyday
Quick answer
What does “hooded top” mean?
A casual upper-body garment, typically made of fleece or cotton, with a hood attached.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A casual upper-body garment, typically made of fleece or cotton, with a hood attached.
A sweatshirt or jumper designed with an integrated hood, often featuring a drawstring and a front kangaroo pocket; a staple of casual and sportswear.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'hooded top' is common. In American English, 'hoodie' is the overwhelmingly dominant term; 'hooded sweatshirt' is also used but is more descriptive.
Connotations
In the UK, it can carry occasional negative connotations in media reports linking it to youth anti-social behaviour ('hoodie culture'). In the US, the connotation is almost entirely neutral and related to comfort, casual style, or athletic wear.
Frequency
'Hooded top' is frequent in UK retail and everyday descriptions. It is very rare in US English, where 'hoodie' is universal across all registers.
Grammar
How to Use “hooded top” in a Sentence
VERB + hooded top: wear, put on, pull over, buy, designVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hooded top” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The hooded-top trend is still popular among teenagers.
American English
- The hoodie trend remains dominant in streetwear.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in retail, fashion, and supply chain contexts (e.g., 'Our spring line includes three new hooded tops').
Academic
Very rare; might appear in sociological studies of dress or youth culture.
Everyday
Extremely common for describing casual clothing (e.g., 'I'll just throw on a hooded top for the school run').
Technical
Used in textile and garment manufacturing specifications.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hooded top”
- Using 'hooded top' in US English sounds unnatural. Confusing it with a 'anorak' or 'windbreaker', which are outer jackets.
- Incorrect: 'I bought a new jacket hooded top.' Correct: 'I bought a new hooded top.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. The standard term in American English is 'hoodie'. 'Hooded top' will be understood but marks the speaker as using British English.
In British English, they are synonyms. 'Hoodie' is slightly more informal. In global contexts, 'hoodie' is the universal term.
Yes. Styles include pullover (no zip) and zip-up (full or partial zip). Both are hooded tops.
No. It is firmly in the category of casual, informal, or sportswear. Wearing one in a formal business setting would be inappropriate.
A casual upper-body garment, typically made of fleece or cotton, with a hood attached.
Hooded top: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʊdɪd tɒp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhʊdɪd tɑːp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TOP (garment) with a HOOD attached. Picture the hood sitting on top of the head.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS CASUAL COVERING; ANONYMITY IS A SHELTER (via the hood).
Practice
Quiz
Which term would sound most natural in a US clothing store?