noun
Uncommon
topping
TO-pihng
Topping (noun) means Food added on top of a dish for flavour or decoration. Example: “Pick three toppings for your pizza.”
noun
1
Food added on top of a dish for flavour or decoration.
"Pick three toppings for your pizza."
"She added a crumble topping to the fruit before baking."
adj
1
Excellent or first-rate (dated, British).
"What a topping day for a picnic!"
How to use topping
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething added on top of food, most commonly on pizza, ice cream, or desserts.
When to use it
The "excellent" sense is old-fashioned British slang, rarely used seriously today.
Common pairings
pizza topping
ice cream topping
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Word forms
- Plural
- toppings
- Comparative
- more topping
- Superlative
- most topping
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Pick three _____ for your pizza.
Etymology
From "top" plus "-ing", originally referring to whatever sits on the top of something.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for topping
See all rhymes for topping →Frequently asked questions
What does “topping” mean?
The word “topping” means food added on top of a dish for flavour or decoration. In plain terms, something added on top of food, most commonly on pizza, ice cream, or desserts.
How do you pronounce “topping”?
“Topping” is pronounced TO-pihng (/ˈtɑpɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “topping” in a sentence?
Here is “topping” used in a sentence: “Pick three toppings for your pizza.”
What part of speech is “topping”?
Depending on how it is used, “topping” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “topping” a common word?
“Topping” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “topping” have?
“Topping” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: food added on top of a dish for flavour or decoration.
What is the difference between topping and garnish?
A topping is food added on top of a dish primarily for flavour, though it can also add decoration, and it is often substantial enough to be part of the dish itself, like cheese on a pizza. A garnish is usually a smaller, purely decorative addition that may not be intended to be eaten in the same quantity.
Is topping used as an adjective as well as a noun?
Yes, in dated British English, topping can be used as an adjective meaning excellent or first-rate, as in 'a topping performance,' though this usage is now old-fashioned.
What kind of foods commonly use the word topping?
Topping is commonly used with dishes like pizza, ice cream, cakes, and desserts, referring to ingredients such as sauces, sprinkles, fruit, or cheese added on top for flavour or decoration.
