top
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.
passive: be topped with [ingredient]
The wedding cake was topped by two small figures of the bride and groom.
White candles topped the mantelpiece, standing between two glass vases.
- topped with cream
- topped with icing
- topped with snow
- topped with cheese
- topped by
- bottom
reverse position; being at the lowest part
Grammar Patterns
top + [noun] + with + [noun]
Usage Note
Typical pattern: top + [noun] + with + [noun]. Commonly used in cooking for describing a final layer of food, or in descriptions of natural scenery.
Common Mistakes
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.
top + [online ranking/category]
The university's engineering programme topped the national league table for five years.
- top the list
- top the chart
- top the rankings
- top the poll
- top the ratings
- trail
to be behind others in a competition or ranking
Grammar Patterns
top + [chart/list/ranking/poll]
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
passive: be topped by [amount]
William told one story, but Élise topped it with a hilarious impression of the teacher.
informal: top a story or joke
- top a record
- top a score
- top an offer
- top a bid
- top that
- fall short of
to fail to reach a record or standard
Grammar Patterns
top + [record/score/offer/bid]
Usage Note
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!').
Common Mistakes
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.
- top yourself
- top himself
- top herself
- top themselves
- kill yourself
more direct and universally understood; not regionally restricted
Grammar Patterns
top + [reflexive pronoun]
Usage Note
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.
noun as subject: The top of [place] + verb
Diya wrote her phone number at the top of the note.
Snow covers the top of that mountain for most of the year.
- at the top of
- to the top of
- from the top of
- on top of
- bottom
the lowest part or position of something
Grammar Patterns
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.
- on the top of
- top of the desk
- table top
- kitchen top
- underside
the bottom or lower surface of something
Grammar Patterns
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.
- top of the inning
- top of the first
- in the top of
- bottom
the second half of an inning, when the home team bats
Grammar Patterns
the top of the [number] inning
Usage Note
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.
- wear a top
- cotton top
- summer top
- red top
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.
- top of the bottle
- screw the top
- put the top on
- take the top off
Grammar Patterns
top of [container]
Usage Note
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.
- at the top of
- reach the top
- to the top
- the very top
- bottom
the lowest rank or least important position
Grammar Patterns
the top of [organization/group]
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
collocation: every hour / top of the hour
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.
collocation: after the top of the hour
- top of the hour
- at the top of every hour
- after the top of the hour
- before 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
Usage Note
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."
Common Mistakes
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.
collocation: wind string around a top
The antique wooden top wobbled for a moment and then stopped spinning.
Yasmin collected painted tops from her travels across Southeast Asia.
collocation: painted tops
- spin a top
- wind string around a top
- painted top
- wooden top
- spinning top
- spinning top
full name; adds clarity for learners unfamiliar with the toy
Common Mistakes
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.
collocation: gold / mother-of-pearl tops
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.
collocation: flower-shaped tops
- a pair of tops
- gold tops
- silver tops
- diamond tops
- flower-shaped tops
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
collocation: trim the tops
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.
collocation: tops of spring onions
- carrot tops
- beet tops
- turnip tops
- radish tops
- cut off the tops
- trim the tops
Usage Note
Frequently plural — you say "carrot tops" not "carrot top" when referring to the leafy parts. Singular "top" is rare for this sense.
Common Mistakes
on top
idiomin a winning or leading position; in control of a situation
After a slow start, the team finished the game on top.
Romi stayed on top of her homework by planning ahead each week.
on top of something
idiomcovering something; in addition to something; or fully in control of a task or situation
Asher placed a blanket on top of the sleeping child.
On top of her full-time job, Anong also studies at night school.
saying something immediately from memory, without taking time to check the facts
Off the top of my head, I think the meeting is at two o'clock.
Can you name three capital cities off the top of your head?
over the top
idiomdone with too much emotion, effort, or exaggeration; excessive or extreme
The decorations were beautiful, but the fireworks seemed a bit over the top.
Sivan thought the actor's crying scene was way over the top.
as loudly as you can
The children shouted at the top of their voices when they saw the parade.
Aarav called his sister's name at the top of his voice.
from top to bottom
idiomcompletely; in every part of a place or thing
The house was cleaned from top to bottom before the guests arrived.
The team rebuilt the website from top to bottom.
on top of the world
idiomfeeling extremely happy or proud
After winning the award, Hana felt like she was on top of the world.
In a very high or very low position within a group or organization.
After years of hard work, Min finally found herself at the top of the heap.
New employees often start at the bottom of the heap in this company.
In the highest position or rank in a profession or career.
After decades of dedication, Dr. Rivera is now at the top of the tree in medicine.
Few lawyers reach the top of the tree before age fifty.
blow your top
idiomTo become very angry suddenly.
Dad blew his top when he saw the broken window.
Did you see Maya blow her top at the meeting yesterday?
In the least or most important position in a group of people or things.
Interns often find themselves at the bottom of the pile in large corporations.
After winning the championship, their team was at the top of the pile.
come out on top
idiomTo win a contest or an argument.
Despite the tough competition, Sara came out on top in the debate.
In the final match, our team came out on top with a score of 3-1.
from top to toe
idiomCompletely; covering every part of the body.
The children were covered in mud from top to toe after playing outside.
She wore a red dress and matching shoes from top to toe.
To become too difficult for someone to manage or deal with.
The pressure of exams is starting to get on top of Brian.
All these deadlines are getting on top of me; I need a break.
To manage to control or deal with something successfully.
After a slow start, Diego finally got on top of his homework.
We need to get on top of this problem before it gets worse.
On, over, or covering something or someone.
The cat is sleeping on top of the warm computer monitor.
She placed a heavy book on top of the papers to keep them flat.
To start again from the beginning of a song, piece of music, or performance.
The conductor said, "Let's take it from the top, everyone."
After a mistake, the band decided to take the song from the top.
thin/bald on top
idiomHaving little or no hair on the head.
My uncle is getting thin on top, but he still looks great.
By age forty, many men start to go bald on top.
up top
idiomUsed to talk about a person's intelligence or mental ability.
He may not be the fastest runner, but he's got a lot up top.
Don't underestimate her; she's sharp up top.
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.
positional noun: edge, corner, row
The top button of Sayaka's coat was missing, so she fastened the second one instead.
- top shelf
- top floor
- top drawer
- top edge
- top button
- top corner
Grammar Patterns
top + noun
Usage Note
Attributive only — cannot be used predicatively (❌ 'This shelf is top'). For the predicative meaning, use 'topmost' or 'highest'.
Common Mistakes
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.
top + portion / section / part
- top half
- top quarter
- top section
- top portion
- top drawer
- top corner
- lower
the opposite general area, nearer the bottom
Grammar Patterns
top + noun
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
top + prize / award / honor
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.
- top school
- top university
- top employer
- top prize
- top award
- top destination
- top company
- top athlete
Grammar Patterns
top + noun (person, group, product)
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
top + position / post / job
The charity's top donor chose to remain anonymous.
- top executive
- top official
- top priority
- top position
- top advisor
- top manager
- top donor
- top candidate
Grammar Patterns
top + noun (person, role, body)
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
collocation: top speed
Mei shifted her motorbike into top gear as she approached the long highway stretch.
- top speed
- top gear
- minimum
the lowest possible amount or degree
Grammar Patterns
top + speed / gear
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
top marks / top score / top grade
Amira was the top performer in the company's sales training programme.
- top of the class
- top of the year
- top marks
- top score
- top performer
- come top
- finish top
- bottom
last in the ranking ('bottom of the class')
Grammar Patterns
be / come / finish top
be top of + group
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
collocation: 'in top shape' after training
Tamar was in top form during the interview and impressed everyone in the room.
- in top form
- in top shape
- in top condition
- in top gear
- 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
Grammar Patterns
be in top form / shape / condition
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
compound adjective: 'top-quality' before noun
Christopher works for one of the top companies in the technology industry.
Hassan's restaurant serves top food that attracts customers from nearby towns.
- top quality
- top marks
- top rate
- top score
- top service
- first-rate
more formal; suggests high standards
- superb
stronger, suggests something impressively good
- top-notch
informal; very similar meaning
Grammar Patterns
top + noun (quality, rank, or status)
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
combining form: toponymy (study of place names)
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.
combining form: toponym (place name)
- topographical survey
- topographical map
- topographic features
- toponymic study
Usage Note
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.
combining form: topological (connection structure of a network)
- topological space
- topological structure
- topological properties
Usage Note
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.
top- + noun: top-quality + noun
Christopher was named top-performing employee at the firm's annual meeting.
The university provides top-tier research facilities to its science students.
top- + adjective: top-tier + noun
- top-rated
- top-quality
- top-selling
- top-performing
- top-tier
- 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-
Grammar Patterns
top- + adjective
top- + participle
Usage Note
Forms compound adjectives that almost always appear before the noun they describe, often with a hyphen (top-rated, top-quality).
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four words refer to the highest point of something, but with different uses. "Peak" is the most versatile — it works for mountains ("the peak of the mountain"), graphs ("the peak of the chart"), and abstract highs ("peak of her career"). "Summit" is more formal and specific; it usually refers to the very top of a mountain or a high-level meeting ("summit talks"), but cannot be used for everyday objects like a shelf or a list. "Crest" describes the top edge of a wave, a hill, or a ridge; it is narrower and less common in general use. "Apex" is technical or formal, often appearing in geometry, anatomy, or abstract contexts ("the apex of the arch," "apex of power"). For everyday use, "top" is the simplest and most natural option — you would say "the top of the hill" or "the top of the list" before any of the alternatives.
Common collocations
Nouns
- top of the range
- top of the line
- top of the class
- top of the list
- top of the hour
Phrases
- on top
- at the top
- from top to bottom
- from the top
- the top
- over the top
- off the top of your head
- on top of the world
Prepositions
- at the top of
- on top of
- to the top of
- from the top of
Etymology
The word "top" comes from Old English "topp," meaning the highest part or tip of something, and is related to Old Frisian "top" and Old High German "zopf" (meaning a tuft or end). The sense of a spinning toy dates from the 14th century, named after its cone-like shape. The verb sense of "surpassing" emerged in the 16th century, while the modern prefix use ("top-quality", "top-rated") developed in the 20th century.
First known use
12th century
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1) Adjective