top
/tɒp/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɑp] /tɑːp/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɑp] /ˈtäp/ (ame, mw) · /tɒp-/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɑp] /tɑːp-/ (ame, ipa)
top — verb
- toppresent simple I / you / we / they
- tops3rd person singular
- topping-ing form
- toppedpast simple
1. to form or be placed as the uppermost layer or covering of something, often as a
to form or be placed as the uppermost layer or covering of something, often as a final decorative element — for example, topping a cake with icing, or a mountain peak with snow.
Dahlia topped the birthday cake with fresh strawberries and a dusting of sugar.
top + with + [decoration]
A thick layer of snow topped the mountain peaks after the night storm.
Each slice of bread was topped with a thin spread of butter and jam.
The wedding cake was topped by two small figures of the bride and groom.
White candles topped the mantelpiece, standing between two glass vases.
- bottom
reverse position; being at the lowest part
文法句型
top + [noun] + with + [noun]
用法筆記
Typical pattern: top + [noun] + with + [noun]. Commonly used in cooking for describing a final layer of food, or in descriptions of natural scenery.
常見錯誤
2. to hold the highest rank or position in a list, chart, poll, or area of activity
to hold the highest rank or position in a list, chart, poll, or area of activity — for example, a company topping the list of best employers, or a show topping the ratings.
Nkechi's company topped the list of best employers in the country this year.
top + [ranking list]
Renata topped the sales chart for the third time in a row last quarter.
The medical drama topped the television ratings every Thursday evening.
Hari's travel blog topped the online rankings for independent travel guides.
The university's engineering programme topped the national league table for five years.
- trail
to be behind others in a competition or ranking
文法句型
top + [chart/list/ranking/poll]
用法筆記
Frequently appears in fixed phrases such as 'top the list', 'top the chart', 'top the poll', or 'top the rankings'. Contrast with sense 3: sense 2 describes holding the highest position, not the act of surpassing a previous result.
常見錯誤
3. to exceed or surpass a previous achievement, amount, or offer — for example, top
to exceed or surpass a previous achievement, amount, or offer — for example, topping a personal best time, or topping a competitor's bid at auction.
Naoko topped her personal best by running the marathon in under three hours.
top + [personal record/score]
The charity auction raised ten thousand dollars, but Layla topped that with a single donation.
Brandon topped his old score of ninety-five with a perfect result on the final exam.
One bank matched the bid offer, but a second topped it by two million dollars.
William told one story, but Élise topped it with a hilarious impression of the teacher.
- fall short of
to fail to reach a record or standard
文法句型
top + [record/score/offer/bid]
用法筆記
Object is typically a record, score, offer, bid, or monetary amount. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 2 describes being in the highest position, while sense 3 focuses on the act of exceeding a previous figure or effort. Also used informally for stories or jokes ('top that!').
常見錯誤
4. (informal, especially British English) to end your own life intentionally; used
(informal, especially British English) to end your own life intentionally; used as a gentler or more indirect way of saying 'kill yourself'.
The character in the novel threatened to top himself after losing everything.
reflexive: top yourself
The neighbours were shocked to hear the elderly man had topped himself.
Kwame's poem dealt gently with a friend who had topped himself years before.
Police found notes suggesting the man had planned to top himself.
- kill yourself
more direct and universally understood; not regionally restricted
文法句型
top + [reflexive pronoun]
用法筆記
Always reflexive — the object must be a reflexive pronoun ('top yourself', 'top himself'). Primarily British English, informal in tone. Considered a euphemism and should be used with awareness of its seriousness.
top — noun
- topsingular
- topsplural
1. the highest position or point within a physical space or range, such as a mounta
the highest position or point within a physical space or range, such as a mountain, a shelf, or a written list
Emma's name appeared at the top of the test scores.
collocation: at the top of [list/ranking]
Rachid placed the vase carefully on the top of the wooden cabinet.
The top of the hill offers a clear view of the whole valley.
Diya wrote her phone number at the top of the note.
Snow covers the top of that mountain for most of the year.
- bottom
the lowest part or position of something
文法句型
usually the top of something
2. the flat upward-facing side of a piece of furniture or other object, where items
the flat upward-facing side of a piece of furniture or other object, where items may be placed
The cat slept on the flat top of the old wooden table.
collocation: on the top of [furniture]
Defne wiped the top of the desk with a damp cloth.
A thin layer of dust had settled on the top of the bookcase.
Naoko placed the keys on the kitchen top near the window.
- underside
the bottom or lower surface of something
文法句型
the top of something
3. the opening segment of each baseball inning, during which the away team attempts
the opening segment of each baseball inning, during which the away team attempts to score
The visiting team scored three runs in the top of the first inning.
pattern: in the top of the [number] inning
The home fans watched the top of the ninth with growing excitement.
The pitcher struck out two batters in the top of the third inning.
By the top of the fifth, the home crowd had grown very quiet.
- bottom
the second half of an inning, when the home team bats
文法句型
the top of the [number] inning
用法筆記
This term is used almost exclusively in American baseball contexts. The opposite is the "bottom" of an inning, when the home team bats.
4. an item of upper-body clothing that typically reaches the waistline or hip area
an item of upper-body clothing that typically reaches the waistline or hip area
Tamar wore a red top with a pair of blue jeans.
collocation: a [colour] top
Élise bought a cotton top with small flowers printed on it.
The shop sells summer tops in bright colours and patterns.
Lien changed into a clean top before going to the party.
5. a cover or cap that seals a container, bottle, jar, or pen so that its contents
a cover or cap that seals a container, bottle, jar, or pen so that its contents do not spill or dry out
Eric screwed the top back onto the bottle of water.
collocation: screw the top on/onto [container]
The top of the jar was stuck, so Antonia ran it under hot water.
Always put the top back on the pen after you finish writing.
Tariq found a bottle with a blue plastic top in the cupboard.
文法句型
top of [container]
用法筆記
This sense of "top" can replace "lid" or "cap" in most everyday situations. For jars and bottles, both "top" and "lid" are common.
6. the leading or most senior role in a company, organization, profession, or compa
the leading or most senior role in a company, organization, profession, or comparable group
Maeve worked hard for years to reach the top of her profession.
collocation: reach the top of [profession]
Faisal's father is at the top of the company's management team.
Only a few people ever make it to the top in the music industry.
The board meeting included executives from the top of the organisation.
- bottom
the lowest rank or least important position
文法句型
the top of [organization/group]
用法筆記
Usually used with "the" as a fixed phrase ("the top"). Frequently used in career contexts. Distinguish from sense 1 (physical height) — this sense is about status, not elevation.
常見錯誤
7. the exact moment when a new hour starts — for example at 1:00, 5:00, or 10:00 on
the exact moment when a new hour starts — for example at 1:00, 5:00, or 10:00 on a clock
The news report starts at the top of the hour on this radio station.
set phrase: top of the hour
Sana checked her watch and noticed it was almost the top of the hour.
The church bells ring at the top of every hour throughout the night.
Feng waited until the top of the hour to call the customer service line.
Lukas missed the weather update because he tuned in after the top of the hour.
- start of the hour
more literal and less idiomatic; used mainly in schedules
- bottom of the hour
very informal; refers to the half-hour mark in broadcasting contexts
用法筆記
Most commonly used in broadcasting or scheduling. The phrase "top of the hour" is fixed — do not say "top of an hour" or "top of one hour."
常見錯誤
8. a child's toy shaped like a cone with a pointed bottom that spins around on a su
a child's toy shaped like a cone with a pointed bottom that spins around on a surface when you flick it with your fingers or pull a string wrapped around it
The little boy spun his wooden top on the kitchen floor until it fell over.
collocation: spin a top
Rania bought her nephew a brightly coloured spinning top for his birthday.
Trang showed the children how to wind the string around the top before throwing it.
The antique wooden top wobbled for a moment and then stopped spinning.
Yasmin collected painted tops from her travels across Southeast Asia.
- spinning top
full name; adds clarity for learners unfamiliar with the toy
常見錯誤
9. a decorative piece of jewellery worn on the ear, typically one of a matching set
a decorative piece of jewellery worn on the ear, typically one of a matching set; an earring
Yael picked out a pair of silver tops from the display case at the jeweller.
collocation: a pair of tops
Esme's ears felt sore, so she replaced her heavy earrings with light tops.
The antique shop sold Victorian tops made of gold and mother-of-pearl.
Lukas helped his daughter pick out small tops for her first ear piercing.
Trang wore tiny flower-shaped tops that her sister had sent from Tokyo.
用法筆記
This sense is less common than the general word "earring." The word "top" here usually refers to an earring that sits on the earlobe, especially a stud or clip-on style.
常見錯誤
10. the leafy green part above the ground of a root vegetable like a carrot, turnip,
the leafy green part above the ground of a root vegetable like a carrot, turnip, beetroot, or radish
The farmer cut the tops off the carrots before packing them for market.
collocation: cut the tops off [vegetable]
Heather used the beet tops in her salad instead of throwing them away.
Sana trimmed the turnip tops and put them in the compost bin.
The vegetable seller removed the wilted tops from the radishes on display.
You can cook the tops of spring onions just like you cook spinach.
用法筆記
Frequently plural — you say "carrot tops" not "carrot top" when referring to the leafy parts. Singular "top" is rare for this sense.
常見錯誤
top — adjective
- toppositive
- toppercomparative
- toppestsuperlative
1. located at the highest point, surface, or level of something — for example, the
located at the highest point, surface, or level of something — for example, the top shelf of a bookcase, or the top floor of a building.
Dylan placed the vase on the top shelf, out of the children's reach.
top + noun (shelf, floor, drawer, etc.)
The hotel restaurant on the top floor has a view of the whole city.
Amira wrote her phone number on the top line of the form.
Erik's name appeared at the top edge of the guest list.
The top button of Sayaka's coat was missing, so she fastened the second one instead.
文法句型
top + noun
用法筆記
Attributive only — cannot be used predicatively (❌ 'This shelf is top'). For the predicative meaning, use 'topmost' or 'highest'.
常見錯誤
2. located in the area near the highest part of a thing, rather than near the botto
located in the area near the highest part of a thing, rather than near the bottom — such as the top half of a page or the top section of a cupboard.
Élise tore off the top corner of the newspaper to save a recipe.
top + part-noun (half, quarter, third, section)
The top half of the mirror was cracked, but the bottom part was still fine.
Esteban stored his passport in the top drawer of his bedside table.
Hugo folded the paper so that only the top portion of the map was visible.
- lower
the opposite general area, nearer the bottom
文法句型
top + noun
用法筆記
Subtly different from sense 1: sense 1 points to the exact highest point, while sense 2 refers to the general upper area. For example, 'top shelf' (sense 1) is the highest shelf; 'top drawer' (sense 2) is an upper drawer but not necessarily the very highest.
常見錯誤
3. recognised as one of the most important, successful, or prestigious in a particu
recognised as one of the most important, successful, or prestigious in a particular field — for example, a top university that attracts talented students from overseas, or a top athlete who wins major international competitions.
Indra was accepted into one of the top law schools in the country.
top + institution (school, university, hospital, company)
The restaurant chain was named a top employer three years in a row.
Vivek's design won a top prize at the international science fair.
The magazine publishes a list of the top ten holiday destinations each year.
Emre's father works for a top software company that makes security products.
文法句型
top + noun (person, group, product)
用法筆記
Unlike sense 4 (HIGHEST-RANKING), sense 3 applies to quality and reputation rather than formal rank or hierarchy. A 'top university' is highly regarded; a 'top executive' (sense 4) holds a specific high position in the organization chart.
常見錯誤
4. holding the highest position in a hierarchy, organization, or system — for insta
holding the highest position in a hierarchy, organization, or system — for instance, a top government official, or the top priority among a list of tasks.
The top executives at the meeting agreed to cut costs by ten percent.
top + role noun (executive, official, manager, advisor)
Safety is our top priority whenever we design a new playground.
top + priority / concern / issue
A team of top advisors met with the president to discuss trade policy.
Eli was promoted to a top position in the regional sales department.
The charity's top donor chose to remain anonymous.
文法句型
top + noun (person, role, body)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (FOREMOST / LEADING): sense 4 is about formal position or rank within a structure, whereas sense 3 is about quality or reputation. A 'top scientist' (sense 3) is highly accomplished; a 'top manager' (sense 4) has a high position in the company hierarchy.
常見錯誤
5. used with a limited set of nouns to describe the highest possible mechanical or
used with a limited set of nouns to describe the highest possible mechanical or technical capacity of a vehicle or machine — for example, a car’s top speed or a truck’s top gear.
The sports car can reach a top speed of three hundred kilometres per hour.
collocation: top speed
Eric shifted the truck into top gear to climb the steep hill.
collocation: top gear
The tractor reached its top speed of forty kilometres per hour on flat ground.
Mei shifted her motorbike into top gear as she approached the long highway stretch.
- minimum
the lowest possible amount or degree
文法句型
top + speed / gear
用法筆記
Restricted to a fixed set of nouns tied to vehicles and engines. 'Top speed' is the fastest speed possible; 'top gear' is the highest gear. Do not confuse with sense 7 (IN TOP FORM), which describes personal physical or mental condition.
常見錯誤
6. ranking first among other students in a class, course, or examination — for exam
ranking first among other students in a class, course, or examination — for example, finishing top of the year in maths or being the top performer in a training programme.
Sayaka studied hard all semester and finished top of her biology class.
finish top of + group / class / year
Hugo came top in the national spelling competition two years in a row.
come / finish / be top + in / of + competition
The student who scores top marks will receive a five-thousand-dollar scholarship.
Amira was the top performer in the company's sales training programme.
- bottom
last in the ranking ('bottom of the class')
文法句型
be / come / finish top
be top of + group
用法筆記
Often used predicatively with linking verbs (be, come, finish) followed by 'top' + optional prepositional phrase. 'Top marks/score' (attributive) refers to the highest grade. Common in educational and competitive contexts.
常見錯誤
7. being at the peak of your physical or mental ability — used in the fixed phrase
being at the peak of your physical or mental ability — used in the fixed phrase 'in top form/shape/condition' to describe an athlete, performer, or worker who is performing at their very best.
Feng is in top form today and has already won three sets in a row.
collocation: 'in top form' for peak performance
The basketball team trained hard to stay in top condition for the championship game.
collocation: 'in top condition' for physical readiness
After six months of daily practice, Constanza finally felt in top shape for the marathon.
Tamar was in top form during the interview and impressed everyone in the room.
- peak
emphasises the highest point of ability or condition
- at one's best
similar meaning but a phrase rather than a single adjective
- in prime condition
typically used for athletes or machines
- off-form
opposite: performing below usual level
- out of shape
opposite: not physically fit
文法句型
be in top form / shape / condition
用法筆記
Most commonly appears in the fixed phrases 'in top form', 'in top shape', or 'in top condition'. Does not normally appear alone before a noun — that meaning belongs to a different sense.
常見錯誤
8. of the best quality available — used to describe products, services, or results
of the best quality available — used to describe products, services, or results that are excellent in standard, such as top-quality ingredients, top marks on an exam, or top service at a restaurant.
Lukas received top marks on his final physics exam this semester.
collocation: 'top marks' — used for exam results
The new hotel offers top service and has already won several awards.
collocation: 'top service' for business quality
Tanvi bought a top-quality coat that kept her warm through three winters.
Christopher works for one of the top companies in the technology industry.
Hassan's restaurant serves top food that attracts customers from nearby towns.
- first-rate
more formal; suggests high standards
- superb
stronger, suggests something impressively good
- top-notch
informal; very similar meaning
文法句型
top + noun (quality, rank, or status)
用法筆記
Used before nouns only — you can say 'a top school' but not 'this school is top'. For the predicative position, use 'excellent' or 'top-notch' instead.
常見錯誤
top — combining form
1. used to form words about a particular place or area of land — for example, topog
used to form words about a particular place or area of land — for example, topography (the physical features of an area of land) or toponym (the name of a place).
Nellie studied the topography of the Andes to find where the steepest passes were.
combining form: topography (physical features of a place)
A topographical map uses contour lines to show the heights of hills and valleys.
Christopher studied toponymy and learned how migration shaped town names along the Mississippi.
The topographic survey showed where the land was flat enough for the new housing estate.
The toponym 'Soho' once meant a hunting area but now names a busy London district.
用法筆記
Combines with noun and adjective suffixes to form words in geography and cartography. Common in academic and technical writing.
2. used to form words relating to topology, the mathematical study of how shapes an
used to form words relating to topology, the mathematical study of how shapes and spaces are connected and how their properties remain the same under continuous change — for example, topology or topological.
Yara’s professor showed a donut and a cup have the same shape in topology when stretched.
combining form: topology (shapes studied through stretching and bending)
The topological layout of a computer network determines how data packets travel between connected devices.
combining form: topological (network connectivity layout)
In topology class, Elise drew knots and tested which could be untangled without cutting.
The topological map helps subway passengers see which stations connect to one another.
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in mathematics and computer science contexts. The meaning is unrelated to the 'place/location' sense of this combining form.
top — prefix
1. Attached to the front of an adjective or a participle (such as -quality, -sellin
Attached to the front of an adjective or a participle (such as -quality, -selling, -rated) to show that someone or something is of the highest quality or among the very best.
The top-rated hotel in town offers guests a beautiful sea view.
top- + participle: top-rated + noun
Chiara's debut novel became the top-selling book in South Korea last year.
Padma's restaurant uses only top-quality ingredients for its handmade pasta.
Christopher was named top-performing employee at the firm's annual meeting.
The university provides top-tier research facilities to its science students.
- leading
similar meaning but used as a standalone adjective, not a prefix
- premier
more formal; also an adjective, not a prefix
- first-rate
compound adjective expressing the same idea of excellent quality
- low-quality
opposite end of the quality scale
- bottom
as in bottom-tier, the opposite direction of top-
文法句型
top- + adjective
top- + participle
用法筆記
Forms compound adjectives that almost always appear before the noun they describe, often with a hyphen (top-rated, top-quality).