# black hat

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/black-hat
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A villain in a story, especially in a Western (a film or other work of the Western genre).

## Examples

- The man in the black hat is the villain.
- In the old movie, the hero faces off against the black hat who terrorizes the town.
- The director subverted expectations by casting the protagonist as a black hat, blurring the traditional lines between morality and malice.

## Origin

The term derives from the black hats traditionally worn by men in Haredi communities. The headwear is a characteristic element of the specific religious dress required by the Haredi lifestyle.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.