topknot

/ˈtɒpnɒt/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɑpnˌɑt] /ˈtɑːpnɑːt/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɑpnˌɑt] /ˈtäp-ˌnät How to pronounce topknot (audio)/ (ame, mw)

topknot — noun

  • topknotsingular
  • topknotsplural

1. a hairstyle made by gathering the hair into a small knot or twist near the crown

1.名詞C1
釋義

a hairstyle made by gathering the hair into a small knot or twist near the crown.

例句

Before dance class, Linh twisted long hair into a neat topknot.

tie hair into a topknot

At the beach, Rania tied a loose topknot to keep cool.

loose topknot for comfort

同義詞
  • bun

    broader everyday word; a topknot is a bun worn high on the head

  • chignon

    more formal and usually worn lower at the back of the head

  • updo

    wider term for any pinned-up hairstyle, not only a knot on top

文法句型

tie hair into a topknot

wear a topknot

用法筆記

Usually describes a hairstyle made from a person's own hair. Distinguish from sense 2, which names a decorative piece placed in the hair rather than the hair itself.

常見錯誤

❌She put a silk topknot in her hair.
✅She tied her hair into a topknot.
💡sense 1 is the hairstyle itself, not an added ornament.

2. a bow, ribbon knot, or similar ornament placed high in the hair for ceremonial o

2.名詞C2
釋義

a bow, ribbon knot, or similar ornament placed high in the hair for ceremonial or costume wear.

例句

For the parade, Isabela pinned a red topknot above braided hair.

decorative topknot worn in hair

The costume designer added a silk topknot to the dancer's headpiece.

silk topknot as costume detail

同義詞
  • hair ornament

    broad everyday term; topknot is a more specific ornament type

  • headdress

    broader and can include larger ceremonial headwear

  • bow

    fits only the ribbon-like version of this sense

文法句型

wear a topknot

a silk topknot

用法筆記

Most often appears in historical, ceremonial, dance, or costume settings. Distinguish from sense 1, where the topknot is made from the person's own hair.

常見錯誤

❌The bride tied a topknot of silk.
✅The bride wore a silk topknot.
💡sense 2 names the ornament, not the hair arrangement.

3. a raised tuft of feathers or hair standing up from an animal's crown.

3.名詞C2
釋義

a raised tuft of feathers or hair standing up from an animal's crown.

例句

The angry cockatoo raised its yellow topknot when the cage door opened.

raise a topknot (bird crest)

From the boat, Benjamin spotted a duck with a dark topknot.

a bird with a topknot

同義詞
  • crest

    general word for feathers or hair rising from an animal's head

  • tuft

    smaller and less formal; not always as showy as a topknot

  • plume

    often longer or more decorative than a simple topknot

文法句型

a bird with a topknot

raise a topknot

用法筆記

Used mainly for birds and some animals. Distinguish from sense 1 and sense 2, which describe human hair or a human hair ornament.

常見錯誤

❌The parrot wore a topknot.
✅The parrot had a topknot.
💡in this sense, the crest is a natural feature, not clothing.