WordGarden.iotop
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈɒp/
US
- /ˈtɑp/
Meanings
Noun
the highest part, point, or surface of something
a garment worn on the upper body
a toy that spins on a pointed end
Adjective
highest or uppermost in place or position
highest-ranking, best, or most important
Verb
to do better than, exceed, or come before others
Beyond the definition
The word "top" is common and very flexible. It can mean the highest part of something, like the top of a mountain, a shelf, or your head. It can also mean the best or leading position, as in "at the top of the class" or "one of the top players." In everyday life, a top can be a piece of clothing for the upper body or a lid that closes something, like a bottle top. As a verb, top can mean to do better than something else or to go higher than it, as in "She topped her previous score." In most uses, the word suggests being above, best, or highest.
The word "top" is deceptively complex. At its core, it signifies the highest point or upper surface of something. Imagine standing on the top of a hill, looking down at the world below, or reaching for the top shelf in a bookcase to find a forgotten book.
Beyond physical location, "top" is a synonym for excellence and high ranking. A student who consistently earns high grades is at the top of their class, and an athlete performing at their peak is "on top of their game." This sense of superiority is common in the professional world as well: "The song reached the top of the charts," or "She landed a top job at the firm."
As a noun, "top" has several specific identities. It can be a piece of clothing worn on the upper body, such as a shirt or sweater, or a lid used to close a container, like a bottle top. It also refers to the childhood toy that spins rapidly on a pointed end.
Furthermore, "top" appears in many common English idioms. We use "top secret" to describe highly confidential information, "from top to bottom" to mean completely, and "over the top" to describe something too extreme. It can also function as a verb. To top something means to exceed it, finish it with something extra, or be higher than it, as in "He tried to top his previous high score" or "Snow topped the fence." Whether you're discussing place, rank, clothing, containers, or going beyond a limit, "top" is a basic English word for what is highest, leading, or above.
Examples
- 1
Everyday location
The keys are on top of the fridge.
- 2
Landscape
We reached the top of the hill just before sunset.
- 3
List position
Her name is at the top of the waiting list.
- 4
Clothing
She changed into a white top before dinner.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Academic rank
He was one of the top students in the class.
- 6
Complete cleaning
The whole house needed cleaning from top to bottom.
- Phrasefrom top to bottom
completely, in every part
- 7
Personal organization
I check my email twice a day so I can stay on top of things.
- Phrasestay on top of
keep something organized and under control
- 8
Dramatic reaction
The ending felt a little over the top.
- Phraseover the top
too extreme or dramatic
- 9
Cooking
Top the noodles with a fried egg.
- Patterntop X with Y
put Y on X as a final layer
- 10
Business results
Sales topped one million dollars in March.
- Patterntop + number
go above it
- 11
Adding complaints
The hotel was expensive, and on top of that, the service was slow.
- Phraseon top of that
in addition to that
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- topverbadjectivenoun
Forms
- topsverbadjectivenoun
- toppedpast tenseverbadjectivenoun
- topping-ing formverbadjectivenoun