top

- definition

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90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

noun

/tɑp/

singular	top
plural	tops

1
[countable] [usually singular] the highest place, point, part, or surface of something
We could see mountain tops in the distance.
at the top of something:
I left my purse at the top of the stairs.
the very top:
Our cat had climbed to the very top of the tree.
reach the top:
We reached the top of the hill and looked down.
on top (of something):
He sprinkled sugar on top of the cake.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
1. a.
  a flat surface, especially the flat upper surface of a piece of furniture
  You need to wipe down the table tops.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
  See also worktop
2
the top
the highest status within a group or organization, or the person in this position
She started as an administrative assistant and worked her way to the top.
at the top of your profession:
He was a man of forty-five, at the top of his profession.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
3
[countable] a lid or cover for a container
I lost the top to my shampoo bottle.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
1. a.
  a cover for a pen
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
4
[countable] a piece of clothing that covers the upper part of your body
This store carries a lot of nice knit tops.
his pajama top
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
5
[singular] British the part of something such as a street that is farthest away from you
They’ve bought a new house at the top of our road.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
6
[countable] a child’s toy that spins around on a point
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
7
[countable] [usually plural] the leaves on some vegetables, for example onions
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
8
the top
informal the beginning of an activity, especially a performance of something
take it from the top:
Let’s take it from the top of the second act.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
1. a.
  in baseball, the first half of an inning
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top

phrases

at the top of the list
informal
of greatest importance
Sports were not at the top of the list.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
at the top of your voice/lungs
with a very loud voice
She was singing at the top of her lungs.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
(be) the tops
informal old-fashioned
to be the best or the most successful
This place is the tops for outstanding facilities.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
come out on top/come out tops
informal
to be the best or the winner
Phil always comes out on top.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
from top to bottom
completely and thoroughly
We cleaned the house from top to bottom.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
something gets on top of you
informal
if a problem or difficult situation gets on top of you, you become unable to deal with it effectively
Things are really getting on top of me at home.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
off the top of your head
immediately and without thinking very much
Off the top of my head, I’d say we have about 200 members.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
on top
in a situation where you are in control or winning
The Bears stayed on top throughout most of the game.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
on top of
1. 1
  covering someone or something
  His bike fell on top of him.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
2. 2
  in addition to something else
  On top of all his financial problems, his wife left him.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
3. 3
  in control of what is happening
  on top of things:
  I try to stay on top of things.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
4. 4
  very close to someone or something
  The truck was almost on top of me.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
on top of the world
in a very good mood because things are going well for you
She felt on top of the world that morning.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top
push/put someone over the top
American
to make someone successful in a competition or activity
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of top

vocal fry

a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

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What are red words?

Thesaurus

Related dictionary definitions

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the top

the top

phrases

at the top of the list

at the top of your voice/lungs

(be) the tops

come out on top/come out tops

from top to bottom

something gets on top of you

off the top of your head

on top

on top of

on top of the world

push/put someone over the top

vocal fry

Word of the Day

zeugma

conflict mineral