hat trick
/ˈhætˌtɹɪk/noun
hat trick is spelled H-A-T-T-R-I-C-K: 8 letters and one syllable. As a noun, hat trick means “Any magic trick performed with a hat, especially one involving pulling an object (traditionally a rabbit) out of an apparently empty hat” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of hat trick is hat tricks or hat-tricks.
How many letters and syllables are in hat trick?
| Letters | 8: H-A-T-T-R-I-C-K |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 1 |
| In writing | a phrase: the frequency list counts single words |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce hat trick?
- US /ˈhætˌtɹɪk/
- US /ˈhæt.ɹɪk/
Hat trick has one syllable.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-au-hat_trick.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Words people confuse with hat trick
Also written: hattrick (one word or two).
Sources: English Wiktionary (homophones, alternative spellings).
Forms of hat trick
- hat tricks plural
- hat-trick
- hattrick
- hat-tricks plural
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does hat trick mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
Any magic trick performed with a hat, especially one involving pulling an object (traditionally a rabbit) out of an apparently empty hat.
- 2
Three achievements in a single game, competition, season, etc., such as three consecutive wins.
Ever heard of a Gordie Howe hat trick? It comprises a goal, an assist, and a fighting major penalty.
- 3
The act of striking out three times in a game.
Jones got a hat trick yesterday. Let’s see if he can do better today.
- 4
Three goals scored by one player in a game.
In ice hockey, it’s customary for fans to throw their hats on to the rink after a player scores a hat trick.
- 5
Three tries scored by one player in a game.
- 6
Three achievements or incidents that occur together, usually within a certain period of time.
The car salesman came home with front-row seats to the weekend game after achieving a hat trick by selling three cars that day.
- 7
UKrareA means of securing a seat in the House of Commons by a Member of Parliament placing their hat upon it during an absence.
noun
- 1
Alternative form of hat trick.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Hat trick in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
In the sense three achievements in a single game, competition, season, etc:
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | coup du chapeau, tour du chapeau |
| German | Hattrick |
| Portuguese | hat-trick |
| Spanish | hat-trick |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does hat trick come from?
Exocentric compound of hat (“head covering”, noun) + trick (“element of a magician’s or variety entertainer’s act; entertaining and difficult physical action”, noun). Sense 2 (“achievement of a bowler taking three wickets in three consecutive balls”)–the original sporting sense–refers to the commemorative hat formerly given as a prize to the bowler by his club.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).