tops
Tops (adv) means At the most; as an upper limit (informal). Example: “It'll take twenty minutes, tops.”
How to use tops
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInformally, "at most" (twenty minutes, tops) or "the very best" (she's tops).
Casual, spoken usage — not typically used in formal writing.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It'll take twenty minutes, _____.
Etymology
Likely top + -s (diminutive).
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tops
See all rhymes for tops →Frequently asked questions
What does “tops” mean?
The word “tops” means at the most; as an upper limit (informal). In plain terms, informally, "at most" (twenty minutes, tops) or "the very best" (she's tops).
How do you pronounce “tops”?
“Tops” is pronounced tops (/tɑps/ in IPA).
How do you use “tops” in a sentence?
Here is “tops” used in a sentence: “It'll take twenty minutes, tops.”
What part of speech is “tops”?
Depending on how it is used, “tops” can be an adverb and an adjective.
Is “tops” a common word?
“Tops” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tops” have?
“Tops” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: at the most; as an upper limit (informal).
Why do people say "tops" after an amount, as in "an hour, tops"?
In this use, tops is an informal adverb meaning "at the most", so the figure mentioned is an upper limit: "It'll take twenty minutes, tops" means no more than twenty minutes. It always follows the amount, typically set off by a comma.
What is the difference between top and tops?
Top is the ordinary adjective and sits before a noun: "a top player", "the top shelf". Tops is informal, means "excellent" or "the best", and comes after a linking verb, as in "their coffee is tops"; it can also be an adverb meaning "at the most", as in "ten pounds, tops".
Is tops too informal for formal writing?
Yes, both uses of tops are informal and belong in speech and casual writing. In formal contexts, replace the adverb with "at most" or "no more than", and the adjective with words such as "excellent", "outstanding" or "first-rate".