tricorn: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal or historical
Quick answer
What does “tricorn” mean?
A hat with three points or corners.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A hat with three points or corners.
Historically associated with 18th-century fashion, military uniforms, and pirate attire; sometimes used to denote anything with a similar three-cornered shape.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Both varieties carry historical connotations related to the 18th century or formal attire.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, typically encountered in historical or niche contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “tricorn” in a Sentence
As a noun: typically used with determiners (e.g., 'a tricorn', 'the tricorn', 'his tricorn') or in compound nouns (e.g., 'tricorn hat').Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tricorn” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He sported a tricorn hat at the reenactment.
American English
- She wore a tricorn hat for the historical parade.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not typically used in business contexts.
Academic
Used in historical studies, fashion history, or cultural analyses of the 18th century.
Everyday
Rare; may come up in discussions about costumes, history, or period dramas.
Technical
In costume design, historical reenactment, or museum curation to describe specific headwear.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tricorn”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tricorn”
- Misspelling as 'tricorne' or 'trycorn'
- Mispronunciation as /trɪˈkɔːn/ or /ˈtrɪkɔːrn/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It refers to a hat with three points or corners, historically worn in the 18th century.
In American English, it is pronounced as /ˈtraɪkɔːrn/.
No, it is rare and mostly used in historical contexts, costumes, or academic discussions.
It is primarily a noun, but can be used attributively to modify other nouns, as in 'tricorn hat'.
A hat with three points or corners.
Tricorn is usually formal or historical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'tri-' meaning three and '-corn' relating to corner: a three-cornered hat.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often symbolizes authority, tradition, or old-fashioned styles, reflecting its historical associations.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary definition of 'tricorn'?