Bonnet

/ˈbɒnɪt/

nounBeginner📊CommonClothing
2 meanings2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A type of woman's hat, typically tied under the chin.

/ˈbɒnɪt/

nounneutralBeginner
Clothing

A woman's hat

She wore a pretty bonnet to the garden party.

💡 Simply: A hat for women.

More Examples

2

The antique bonnet was a collector's item.

How It's Used

Fashion History

"Victorian women often wore elaborate bonnets."

2

The hinged cover over the engine compartment of a motor vehicle.

/ˈbɒnɪt/

nounneutralBeginner
Automotive

The hood of a car

Open the bonnet and check the oil level.

💡 Simply: The hood of a car.

More Examples

2

The bonnet was dented in the accident.

How It's Used

Automotive

"The mechanic lifted the bonnet to check the engine."

Tip:Think of it as a 'covering' for the engine.

From Old French *bonete, from Medieval Latin *bonetta, diminutive of Latin *bonus 'good'. Originally referred to a type of headdress; the automotive usage developed later.

The word 'bonnet' has undergone a semantic shift, moving from a head covering to a car part.

Memory tip

Think of a 'bunny' wearing a cute hat.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"'good', implying a well-made and stylish hat"

open the bonnetbonnet release

Common misspellings

bonetbonnett

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written