- top
- I UK [tɒp] / US [tɑp]
noun
Word forms "top":
singular top plural tops
***
1)a) [countable, usually singular] the highest place, point, part, or surface of somethingat the top of something:We could see mountain tops in the distance.
the very top:I left my purse at the top of the stairs.
reach the top:Our cat had climbed to the very top of the tree.
on top (of something):We reached the top of the hill and looked down.
He sprinkled sugar on top of the cake.
b) a flat surface, especially the flat upper surface of a piece of furnitureYou need to wipe down the table tops.
See:2) the top the highest status within a group or organization, or the person in this positionat the top of your profession:She started as an administrative assistant and worked her way to the top.
He was a man of forty-five, at the top of his profession.
3)a) [countable] a lid or cover for a containerI've lost the top off my shampoo bottle.
b) a cover for a pen4) [countable] a piece of clothing that covers the upper part of your bodyThis shop stocks a whole range of tops.
his pyjama top
5) [singular] British the part of something such as a street that is furthest away from youThey've bought a new house at the top of our road.
6) [countable] a child's toy that spins around on a point7) [countable, usually plural] the leaves on some vegetables, for example onions8)a) the topinformal 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.
b) in baseball, the first half of an inning•at the top of your voice/lungs
— with a very loud voiceShe was singing at the top of her lungs.
(be) the tops
— informal old-fashioned to be the best or the most successfulThis place is the tops for outstanding facilities.
come out on top/come out tops
— informal to be the best or the winnerPhil always comes out on top.
- on topSee:blow I
II UK [tɒp] / US [tɑp] adjective [usually before noun] ***
1) at or on the highest part of somethingOur room is on the top floor.
I can't reach the top shelf of the cupboard.
top half:the top left-hand corner of the envelope
The top half of the wall came crashing down.
2) highest in status, degree, or importanceAt top speed, these planes break the sound barrier.
top prize:It's one of the top business schools in the country.
a top player/scientist/student:He won the top prize.
top priority:He's one of the top players in the league.
Our top priority now is finding shelter for the flood victims.
3) British informal used about someone who you like very muchShe's a top girl with a great sense of humour.
III UK [tɒp] / US [tɑp] verb [transitive]
Word forms "top":
present tense I/you/we/they top he/she/it tops present participle topping past tense topped past participle topped
**
1)a) to be better or more impressive than something elseI don't think I can top your fishing story.
b) to be in the most important or popular position in a series of thingstop a bill:top a list/chart:Topping our entertainment bill tonight is someone I know you'll love.
The book is now topping bestseller lists all over the world.
2) to be larger than a particular amountThe costs for the project may top £50 million.
3) [often passive] to cover something with a layer of something elsetop something with something:be topped by something:pizza topped with cheese
hills topped by clumps of trees
4) literary to reach the top of a hill or slope•to top it all (off)
— spoken in addition to everything else that was said or doneTo top it all, she left me with huge debts.
top an offer/bid
— to say you will pay more money for something than someone elsePhrasal verbs:Another couple topped our offer by £1,000.
- top off- top out- top up
English dictionary. 2014.
