crop top

IPA/ˈkrɒp tɒp/
IPA/ˈkrɑːp tɑːp/

crop top — noun

1. a short top worn on the upper body that leaves the stomach and midriff area unco

1.nounB1
Definition

a short top worn on the upper body that leaves the stomach and midriff area uncovered, typically worn in warm weather or as part of casual fashion

Example

The dance instructor wore a white crop top and loose trousers for rehearsal.

A young woman tried on a striped crop top in the changing room before buying it.

try on + crop top (changing room context)

Common collocations
  • cotton crop top
  • lace crop top
  • striped crop top
  • sleeveless crop top
  • black / white crop top
  • wear a crop top
  • buy a crop top
  • pair a crop top with
Synonyms
  • cropped top

    more general; can describe any top that has been shortened, not necessarily exposing the stomach

  • midriff top

    less common; focuses on the area of the body exposed

Usage Note

Crop top is a compound noun (crop + top) written as two separate words. Commonly modified by adjectives describing colour, fabric, sleeve length, or style.

Common Mistakes

She wore a croptop to the party.
She wore a crop top to the party.
crop top is written as two separate words, not one.

Word family

  • cropped top
    nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Crop top, cropped top, and midriff top all describe short upper-body garments, but they differ slightly in use. Crop top is by far the most common and neutral term. A cropped top can refer to any top that has been shortened — it may or may not expose the stomach. Midriff top is less common and more descriptive, focusing on the body area revealed. Short top is a loose everyday phrase that lacks the specific fashion meaning of crop top. For example: 'She wore a black crop top to the music festival' sounds natural, whereas 'She wore a midriff top' sounds slightly technical or old-fashioned.

cropped topmidriff topshort top

Common collocations

Nouns

Etymology

English

Crop top is a compound formed in English from 'crop' (to cut short, from Old English cropp, meaning a sprout or cutting) and 'top' (an upper garment). The term first appeared in print around 1956, when shorter tops became a fashion trend. The style gained widespread popularity during the 1990s and remains a staple of casual and summer fashion.

First known use

1956

1956, in the meaning defined above