top
noun
Definitions of top noun
position
- A2Countable
The highest point or part of something.
She was waiting for me at the summit of the staircase.
Flags adorned the peaks of numerous structures.
A stack of books was situated upon the table.
- Countable
The uppermost surface of an object.
The surface of the table/desk had sustained significant scratching.
The countertop had a smooth top.
clothing
- B1Countable
A piece of clothing designed to be worn on the upper part of the body, above the waist.
an off-the-shoulder top
a workout top
I require a top to complement this skirt.
cover
- C1Countable
The lid or cover used to close a container or pen.
a twist-on top
a jar top
the cap of a ballpoint pen
toy
- Countable
A toy that is designed to spin on its pointed end.
jewelry
- CountableUsually plural
An ornamental piece of jewelry worn on the ear, typically in pairs.
verb
Definitions of top verb
position
- C2Transitive
To be situated on the upper surface of something, often as a decoration.
The dessert was finished with whipped cream and fruit pieces.
The beverage was topped with a layer of foam.
We topped the cake with a layer of fresh strawberries.
rank
- C2Transitive
To be the most successful, important, or highest in rank.
The song held the number one position on the charts for five consecutive weeks.
She was the main act of the show.
Their team topped the leaderboard in the tournament.
excellence
- Transitive
To surpass or exceed someone or something in performance or achievement.
"They offered me £1,000." "I'm afraid we can't exceed that offer."
She proposed a suggestion that was better than my own.
His new record topped the previous one.
Phrases of top verb
- top yourself
To deliberately end one's own life; to commit suicide.
• Feeling hopeless, he began to consider topping himself.
adjective
Definitions of top adjective
position
- B1Before noun
Located at the highest point or part of something.
There is a stain on the top left corner of the photograph.
The offices are located on the uppermost floor of the building.
He was positioned on the highest rung of the ladder.
- Before noun
Situated in the highest part or position.
The uppermost steps were damaged and broken.
The leaves at the top of the tree were yellow.
adverb
Definitions of top adverb
- B1
In the position of being most important, successful, or best.
So where would be your top choice for a vacation destination?
As a chess player, he ranks among the top ten percent in the nation.
- B1
The most important or successful people, organizations, or activities.
top athletes/executives
top positions
top universities
Phrases of top adverb
- on top form
Being in the best possible condition to perform well.
• After a few days of rest, she's back on top form and ready for the competition.
- at top speed
Moving or operating at the highest possible speed.
• He sprinted toward the finish line at top speed.
- be/come top
To achieve the highest rank or score in an academic setting or competition; to be the best performer.
• She came top in the national math competition this year.
prefix
Definitions of top prefix
Used with various words to indicate "best" or "highest quality".
a top-tier athlete
top-level officials
a top-rated restaurant
exclamation
Definitions of top exclamation
Excellent.
"How was your party?" "Top, mate."
"You coming then?" "Yeah, top!"
"How's the new restaurant?" "Top!"
Idioms
- on top of something
in addition to something, especially something unpleasant, that has already occurred or is present.
• My computer broke down, and on top of that, I lost all my data.
- be on top of something
To have a good understanding of a situation or task and be able to manage it effectively.
• She is always on top of the work schedule, never falling behind.
- over the top
Excessively exaggerated or extreme, exceeding the bounds of what is considered appropriate or reasonable, often in a way that is perceived as unnatural or inappropriate.
• The amount of food he prepared for the party was over the top, there were three different kinds of cake.
- off the top of your head
Using information that one remembers immediately, without prior preparation or research.
• "What's the approximate budget for this project?" "I can't tell you off the top of my head, but I can look it up."
- at the top of your voice
To speak or shout as loudly as possible.
• The children were shouting at the top of their voices on the playground.
- top and tail
To remove both ends of a fruit or vegetable, typically the hard or inedible parts, in preparation for cooking or consumption.
• Before you chop the carrots, be sure to top and tail them.
- from top to toe
Referring to someone's clothing, style, or appearance, it means completely, from head to foot.
• She was dressed in designer clothes from top to toe and looked very stylish.
- on top of the world
Feeling extremely happy, elated, or exhilarated.
• After learning she was accepted into her dream university, she felt on top of the world.
- from top to bottom
Referring to a process or action that is performed completely, covering every part from the highest point to the lowest.
• They inspected the building from top to bottom.
- to top it all
Used to indicate that after a series of unfortunate events, something even worse has occurred.
• I missed my train, my phone died, and to top it all, it started pouring rain.
- get on top of someone
To be overwhelmed by a difficult situation, causing a feeling of being unable to cope.
• The combined pressures of work and family were getting on top of her.
Phrasal Verbs of top
- top something off
to conclude an activity in a satisfying or successful manner
• Her impressive speech at the dinner topped off the event beautifully.
- top something up
to pour liquid into a container that is partially full until it reaches the brim
• She topped up the water bottle until it was full to the brim.
- top someone up
to add more beverage to someone's glass or cup
• At the party, Mary always tops everyone up whenever their drinks are low.