What does hood mean?
A hood is principally a covering for the head, especially one attached to a coat, jacket, robe, or similar garment. It can also refer to the hinged metal cover over a car's engine, the folding roof of a convertible, or a protective casing over a machine. These uses share the idea of enclosing or sheltering something from above. In informal American English, “the hood” is also a term for a neighborhood or urban community, particularly one associated with poverty or concentrated disadvantage; because it can carry negative connotations, speakers may need to consider their audience and wording. The word is useful because it connects familiar objects and idiomatic expressions: a head covering, a car component, a protective enclosure, and a geographically and socially marked use all belong to its semantic range. In expressions such as “under the hood,” it can figuratively refer to what is hidden within a system or process.
A covering for the head, often attached to a garment; also a car's engine cover, a folding car roof, a protective machine covering, or informally a neighborhood.
"Rain dripped from the hood of her yellow raincoat."
The neighborhood sense is chiefly informal US English and may be considered derogatory in some contexts.
To cover someone or something with a hood, or to conceal something by enclosing or obscuring it.
"The thief hooded the surveillance camera before entering the building."
The plural is used for multiple head coverings, car engine covers, protective coverings, or—in informal US English—multiple neighborhoods.
"The shop sells waterproof hoods for cyclists."
The same word that covers your head can cover a car's engine—and, in informal US English, name an entire neighborhood.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of hood
Hood comes from Old English hōd, meaning a covering for the head. It belongs to a wider Germanic family that includes Dutch hoed, German Hut, and Swedish hatt, all associated with hats or head coverings and ultimately with the idea of covering. The modern informal American sense meaning a neighborhood developed separately through urban slang associated with hoodlums.
Related word forms
How hood is actually used
In British English, “hood” is usual for a head covering, while “bonnet” is the standard term for a car's engine cover; US English generally uses “hood” for the car part. The neighborhood sense is informal and can sound derogatory depending on the speaker, audience, and context. The expression “under the hood” is also idiomatic for the concealed internal workings of a system or process.