What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hats
Example
She wore a wide-brimmed hat to shield her face from the sun. [hat: noun]
Example
He always wears a hat with his suit to complete the look. [hat: noun]
headgear
Example
The football players wore headgear to protect themselves from injury. [headgear: noun]
Example
She needed to wear headgear at night to correct her teeth alignment. [headgear: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hats are more commonly used in everyday language and are a popular fashion accessory, while headgear is more technical and specific to certain contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hats and headgear?
Headgear is often associated with technical or medical contexts and is therefore more formal, while hats can be used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the style and design.
