top
top
Top (noun) means the highest point or part of something. Example: “They finally reached the top of the mountain at noon.”
noun
1
The highest point or part of something.
"They finally reached the top of the mountain at noon."
"Put the box on top of the shelf."
"The cat sat on the top of the fridge, watching us."
2
A piece of clothing worn on the upper body.
"She bought a new top to go with her jeans."
"He wore a plain white top under his coat."
"This top is too thin for winter, so I need a jumper."
verb
1
To be greater than, or to go beyond, something else.
"His latest album topped the charts within a week."
"Nothing tops a home-cooked meal after a long day."
"Nobody could top her story about getting lost in the forest."
2
To add something as a final layer over the top of something else.
"Top the cake with fresh strawberries before serving."
"She topped the porridge with honey and some chopped nuts."
"We usually top our pizzas with cheese and olives."
adj
1
Best, highest, or most important.
"Our team won the top prize at the school science fair."
"The hotel's top priority is keeping every guest safe and comfortable."
"She's one of the top students in her year."
How to use top
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe highest part of anything, or (as a verb) to beat or exceed something, or add a final layer on top.
Common pairings
top of the list
top it off
on top of things
top-notch
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- tops
- Past tense
- topped
Fill the gap
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They finally reached the _____ of the mountain at noon.
Etymology
From Old English topp, meaning the highest part or summit of something — the same root that gives us words like "topple".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for top
See all rhymes for top →Frequently asked questions
What does “top” mean?
The word “top” means the highest point or part of something. In plain terms, the highest part of anything, or (as a verb) to beat or exceed something, or add a final layer on top.
How do you pronounce “top”?
“Top” is pronounced top (/tɑp/ in IPA).
How do you use “top” in a sentence?
Here is “top” used in a sentence: “They finally reached the top of the mountain at noon.”
What part of speech is “top”?
Depending on how it is used, “top” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “top” come from?
The word “top” comes from Old English. From Old English topp, meaning the highest part or summit of something — the same root that gives us words like "topple".
Is “top” a common word?
“Top” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “top” have?
“Top” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the highest point or part of something.
What is the difference between the top and the peak?
'Top' is the general word for the highest part of anything — the top of a page, a bottle, or a hill. 'Peak' refers specifically to a pointed summit, most often of a mountain, and can also mean the highest level of achievement. Every peak is a top, but not every top is a peak.
What is the opposite of 'top'?
The opposite of 'top' is 'bottom' — the lowest point or part of something. Depending on context, 'base,' 'foot,' or 'underside' can also serve. The top of the stairs leads down to the bottom; the top of a page sits above its foot. 'Top' and 'bottom' are the most common pair.
What is an example of 'top' used in a sentence?
You might say, 'The book is on the top of the shelf,' meaning its highest part. Other examples include 'She reached the top of the mountain' or 'Write your name at the top of the page.' In each case, 'top' points to the uppermost point or surface of something.
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