What is a snug, usually brimless cap called?

A snug, usually brimless cap is called a beanie. The word commonly describes a close-fitting cap made from knitted wool, acrylic, cotton, felt, or similar materials, usually without a projecting brim. Its simple shape keeps the head warm while remaining easy to fold, carry, and wear under a hood.

The name covers more than one historical style. In the United States, “beanie” once referred especially to a small, seamed skullcap made from several fabric panels, sometimes topped with a button. During the twentieth century, the knitted winter cap became the dominant meaning in much of North America and elsewhere.

A common mix-up is “toque,” which is particularly common for a knitted winter cap in Canada. A beret is also generally brimless, but it is softer, flatter, and wider, with a distinctive rounded shape. A baseball cap, by contrast, has a stiff projecting visor. In Australia, New Zealand, Britain, and parts of the United States, “beanie” can also refer specifically to a warm knitted cap.