preposition
Uncommon
atop
uh-TOP
Atop (preposition) means On top of. Example: “A weathervane sat atop the old barn.”
preposition
1
On top of.
"He sat atop of the mountain, waiting for the end of the world."
""And other things," she echoed, nodding slowly and resting her body a little more atop him again."
— Dewey Lambdin, The Gun Ketch (2006)
"He sat atop the mountain, waiting for the end of the world."
"A weathervane sat atop the old barn."
"She perched atop the wall to get a better view."
How to use atop
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slightly more literary way of saying "on top of."
When to use it
More common in writing than in casual speech.
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A weathervane sat _____ the old barn.
Etymology
From a- ("on") + top.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “atop” mean?
The word “atop” means on top of. In plain terms, a slightly more literary way of saying "on top of.".
How do you pronounce “atop”?
“Atop” is pronounced uh-TOP (/əˈtɒp/ in IPA).
How do you use “atop” in a sentence?
Here is “atop” used in a sentence: “A weathervane sat atop the old barn.”
What is another word for “atop”?
Words with a similar meaning to “atop” include on top and ontop.
What part of speech is “atop”?
“Atop” is a preposition.
Is “atop” a common word?
“Atop” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between atop and on top of?
"Atop" and "on top of" both mean positioned above and touching something, but "atop" is more compact and typically appears in formal or literary writing. "On top of" is the more common, everyday phrasing used in casual speech.
Is atop formal or informal?
"Atop" leans formal or literary compared with everyday alternatives like "on" or "on top of." It's common in news writing and descriptive prose, such as "a castle atop the hill," but less common in casual conversation.
Can atop be used figuratively, not just for physical objects?
Yes, beyond describing physical position, such as "snow atop the mountain," "atop" can also be used figuratively, as in "atop the rankings," to mean occupying the highest position.
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