WordGarden.iotopmost
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈɒpməʊst/
US
- /tɑpˈmoʊst/not-comparableadjective
Meanings
Adjective
highest or nearest the top in position
highest in rank or greatest in importance
Beyond the definition
"Topmost" describes something that is at the very top. You might use it for the topmost branch of a tree, the topmost shelf in a room, or the topmost page in a pile of papers. It can also be used in a figurative way to mean the most important thing. A leader may focus on the topmost concern of the team, or a writer may keep their topmost goal in mind. In both cases, the word points to what stands highest, whether in place or in importance.
The word "topmost" means being at the highest point or in the highest position. In the most literal sense, it describes whatever is above all the rest. If you look at a stack of books, the topmost book is the one lying above the others. If you climb a tower, the topmost window is the one nearest the top. The word gives a clear picture of height, position, and order.
It can also be used in a figurative sense. In that kind of use, "topmost" means most important or given the highest priority. A company's topmost goal may be safety. A student's topmost concern before an exam may be time management. In these examples, the word is not about physical height but about rank, value, or focus.
"Topmost" is not one of the most common everyday words, but it is easy to understand because it strongly emphasizes the idea of being at the very top. It often appears when someone wants to sound a little more vivid or exact than they would with just "top" or "highest."
So, whether you are talking about the highest shelf, the upper part of a mountain, or the most important issue on someone's mind, "topmost" points to what stands above everything else.
Examples
- 1
Storage
We kept the passports on the topmost shelf, out of the children's reach.
- 2
High viewpoint
From the hotel's topmost floor, you could see the whole harbor.
- 3
Main concern
As the storm got closer, safety was topmost in everyone's mind.
- Patterntopmost in someone's mind
more important than anything else at that moment
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- topmostadjective