red hats: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal (when referring to political supporters); Neutral/Formal (when describing literal hats or the software company).
Quick answer
What does “red hats” mean?
A plural noun phrase referring to hats that are red in color.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A plural noun phrase referring to hats that are red in color.
A proper noun (capitalized) used as a nickname or identifier for certain groups. Historically, it can refer to soldiers of the British Army (due to historical uniform colors). In contemporary U.S. politics, it is a colloquial and media term for supporters of Donald Trump, referencing their signature 'Make America Great Again' headwear. Also, the name of a major open-source software company (Red Hat).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British usage, the historical/military reference ('Redcoats') is more readily understood. In American usage, the contemporary political reference is dominant and immediate.
Connotations
UK: Potentially neutral (literal) or historical. US: Highly charged, strongly associated with Trumpism and contemporary political polarization.
Frequency
The phrase is significantly more frequent in American English due to its political usage.
Grammar
How to Use “red hats” in a Sentence
[determiner] + red hatsred hats + [of + group]Red Hats + [verb of support/action]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “red hats” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not commonly adjectival. Could be compound modifier: 'a red-hat-wearing crowd']
American English
- [Not commonly adjectival. Could be compound modifier: 'a red-hat-wearing crowd']
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers almost exclusively to the software company Red Hat, e.g., 'We use Red Hat Enterprise Linux.'
Academic
In political science/history papers, refers to the socio-political group. In computer science, refers to the company/products.
Everyday
Most commonly refers to Trump supporters at rallies or in media discourse. Can be literal, e.g., 'The choir wore red hats.'
Technical
Primarily refers to Red Hat software (e.g., Red Hat Linux, OpenShift).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “red hats”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “red hats”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “red hats”
- Capitalizing incorrectly when meaning literal hats ('red hats' not 'Red Hats').
- Assuming the phrase always has a political meaning.
- Using a singular verb with the plural noun phrase, e.g., 'The red hats is here.' (should be 'are').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is only capitalized when referring to the proper noun (the software company Red Hat) or when used as a definitive name for the political group (e.g., 'the Red Hats'). The literal description is in lowercase: 'The clowns wore red hats.'
Yes, in the political sense. Its connotation depends entirely on the speaker's/viewer's political stance. It is a polarized term, carrying strong positive connotations for supporters and often strong negative connotations for opponents.
It is a less common reference to the historical 'redcoats' (British soldiers). A more direct link is to the uniform of the Beefeaters (Yeoman Warders) at the Tower of London, who wear red tunics and historically wore distinctive hats.
For the political meaning, a descriptive translation explaining the cultural context is essential (e.g., 'supporters of Trump identified by their red caps'). For the company, use the untranslated name 'Red Hat'. For the literal meaning, translate the words directly.
A plural noun phrase referring to hats that are red in color.
Red hats is usually informal (when referring to political supporters); neutral/formal (when describing literal hats or the software company). in register.
Red hats: in British English it is pronounced /ˌred ˈhæts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛd ˈhæts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for the literal phrase. The political term is itself idiomatic.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a **red hat** as a symbol: for a **RED** party (Republican), or a **RED** logo on a **hat** for the software brand.
Conceptual Metaphor
GROUP IDENTIFIED BY UNIFORM (The hats stand for the people and their shared ideology).
Practice
Quiz
In a current American political context, what does 'a rally full of red hats' most likely refer to?