old hat

adjective

1
2
: lacking in freshness : trite

Examples of old hat in a Sentence

I suppose my favorite joke's a bit old hat by now. Making hit movies is old hat for him.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
June 14 The Music of John Williams with the Colorado Symphony Live orchestral scores set to film (or films) are old hat, but the choice of venue here shows the enduring power of John Williams’ music. John Wenzel, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2025 All that gnashing and suckling is old hat — as old as the burgundy fedora Jordan slips on when playing the more jovial of these brothers in arms. A.a. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025 Being at the Oscars is old hat for Elton, but still a new experience for you, Brandi. Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025 What to know: Visits to Denver Coliseum are getting to be old hat for Colorado Academy, which is making its third consecutive 4A Great 8 trip. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for old hat

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of old hat was in 1911

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Old hat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/old%20hat. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

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