Toque: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in Canadian English to refer to a knitted winter hat. It's informal and widely recognized in Canada.

• Don't forget your toque, it's really cold outside!
• He wore a red toque with a white pom-pom.

Used in American and British English to describe a snug, usually brimless cap made of wool or cotton. Suitable for casual settings and often associated with youth culture.

• She pulled her beanie down over her ears as the wind picked up.
• I always wear my beanie when I go skateboarding.

British English term for a warm winter hat made of wool, similar in function to a toque or beanie. It's quite commonly used for everyday winter wear.

• Make sure to grab your woolly hat before we go out into the snow.
• Her woolly hat kept her head warm throughout the chilly day.

Can have religious or cultural connotations, often referring to a small, rounded cap fitting tightly on the head. Also used to describe tight-fitting caps worn under helmets by athletes.

• The monk wore a skullcap as part of his traditional attire.
• Cyclists often wear skullcaps under their helmets for extra warmth.

The second entry of toque can also refer to a different type of hat, typically a knit cap worn in cold weather, especially in Canada. Context determines whether it refers to the chef's hat or the knit cap.

• In Canada, a toque is essential for keeping warm during the winter months.

This term is more commonly used and understood by the general public. It works well in any context where you need a straightforward and easily understood description of a chef's traditional headgear.

• The chef's hat is a symbol of expertise and professionalism in the kitchen.

This phrase is less common and might be used in more general or informal settings when referring to any type of hat worn in the culinary industry. It can encompass a broader range of hats beyond the traditional tall chef's hat.

• Before starting the cooking class, everyone was given a culinary hat for hygiene purposes.