shako: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 - Very Low FrequencySpecialized/Technical; Historical; Literary.
Quick answer
What does “shako” mean?
A tall, stiff military hat with a peak, a visor, and a plume or pompom, worn especially in the 19th century.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tall, stiff military hat with a peak, a visor, and a plume or pompom, worn especially in the 19th century.
The term can refer to similar ceremonial headgear worn by marching band members, honor guards, or historical reenactors. It denotes a specific, formal type of headdress associated with uniformed organizations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes 19th-century European warfare (e.g., Napoleonic Wars), ceremonial dress, and historical pageantry.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. Likely to be encountered only in historical texts, museums, or specialist discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “shako” in a Sentence
[Verb] + a/the shako: wear, don, remove, tip, adorn[Adjective] + shako: plumed, ornate, stiff, ceremonialVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shako” 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 applicable as an adjective]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adjective]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, military, or costume studies texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used in the technical vocabulary of military history, uniformology, and historical reenactment.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shako”
- Pronouncing it /ˈʃeɪ.koʊ/ as in 'shake' (though this is a listed variant); misspelling as 'shacco' or 'chaco'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialized word used mainly in historical or military uniform contexts.
A shako is typically made of stiffened cloth or leather with a visor and ornamentation. A bearskin is a taller, fur hat without a visor, worn by some guard regiments.
No, it refers specifically to a type of military headgear. Using it for a fashionable hat would be incorrect.
The most common pronunciation is /ˈʃæk.oʊ/ (SHACK-oh). A less common variant is /ˈʃeɪ.koʊ/ (SHAY-koh).
A tall, stiff military hat with a peak, a visor, and a plume or pompom, worn especially in the 19th century.
Shako is usually specialized/technical; historical; literary. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SHAKing soldier whose tall, plumed hat (SHAKO) wobbles as he marches.
Conceptual Metaphor
HISTORY IS A COSTUME; CEREMONY IS HEIGHT (tall hat signifying status/formality).
Practice
Quiz
A 'shako' is primarily associated with which context?