Doff
/dɒf/
verbC2
Definition
Doff is a formal or old-fashioned word that means to remove something you are wearing, usually a hat. People often doff their hats to show respect, greeting, or politeness. It is not used for taking off all clothes, mostly just hats or similar items.
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See It in Action
To take off a hat or similar item of clothing, usually as a polite or respectful gesture
- •He doffed his cap when he entered the room.
- •The gentleman doffed his hat to greet the lady.
- •Soldiers doffed their helmets during the ceremony.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'doff' like 'take off' (A1 phrase), but only for hats or small clothing, and done politely or with respect
- ✓Picture a person lightly lifting their hat off their head in greeting on a sunny day
- ✓It's the feeling of showing respect or saying hello in a gentle, old-fashioned way
- ✓Sounds like 'off' with a 'd' at the start → imagine gently saying 'doff' as you take your hat off
- ✓In old stories or movies, knights or gentlemen doff their hats to ladies or kings to show honor
- ✓NOT like 'remove' (which can be for anything and any reason), 'doff' is polite and specific for hats
- ✓NOT like 'take off' in casual use, 'doff' is more formal and respectful
- ✓NOT like 'put on' (wearing), 'doff' means the opposite action of removing
Try Other Words
- •Remove: to take something away or off (Use when talking about any clothing or objects, not just hats)
- •Lift: to raise something up (Use when focusing on the action of raising a hat slightly, not fully removing it)
- •Tip: to move the hat slightly as a greeting (Use when the hat is not fully removed, just moved as a polite gesture)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix, base word "doff" itself)
- •Etymology: From Old English "doffian," a shortened form of "do off," meaning to take off
- •Historical development: Originally a simple phrase "do off," it became one word "doff" in Middle English, used especially in polite or formal contexts
- •Modern usage: Rare in everyday speech, mostly found in literature, historical contexts, or formal writing
- •Interesting fact: "Doff" is often paired with "don," which means to put on clothing (don your hat, doff your hat)
Reflect & Connect
•Why do you think people used to doff their hats as a sign of respect? Do we have similar gestures today?
•How does knowing the word "doff" help you understand old stories or movies better?
Fill in the blanks
1.When entering the church, he ___ his hat to show respect to the ceremony.
2.The knight ___ his helmet before speaking to the queen, a sign of honor.
3.Unlike just taking off a hat casually, to ___ a hat is to do it ___ and politely.
4.In old stories, gentlemen often ___ their hats when greeting a lady, but today we might just ___.
5.Soldiers are expected to ___ their helmets during certain formal events, but not to ___ them casually.
6.If you ___ your hat, you usually ___ it completely off your head, not just tip it.
7.When the teacher entered, the students ___ their caps ___ as a sign of respect.