top

/tɒp/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɑp] /tɑːp/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɑp] /ˈtäp/ (ame, mw) · /tɒp-/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɑp] /tɑːp-/ (ame, ipa)

top — 動詞

  • 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

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

覆蓋;加頂

置於某物頂部作為裝飾或覆蓋

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.

例句

Dahlia topped the birthday cake with fresh strawberries and a dusting of sugar.

Dahlia 在生日蛋糕頂部鋪上新鮮草莓並撒了一層糖粉。

top + with + [decoration]

A thick layer of snow topped the mountain peaks after the night storm.

夜間暴風雪過後,山頂覆蓋了一層厚厚的積雪。

同義詞
  • cover

    more general; does not specifically mean the uppermost layer

  • cap

    suggests a fitted cover rather than a spread layer

  • crown

    more poetic; implies an impressive or beautiful topping

反義詞
  • 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

She topped the pizza with cheese on top.
She topped the pizza with cheese.
💡'top with' already implies 'on top'; adding 'on top' is redundant.

2. to hold the highest rank or position in a list, chart, poll, or area of activity

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

位居首位

在排名或榜單中居首

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.

例句

Nkechi's company topped the list of best employers in the country this year.

Nkechi 的公司今年榮登全國最佳雇主排行榜第一名。

top + [ranking list]

Renata topped the sales chart for the third time in a row last quarter.

Renata 上一季連續第三次位居銷售排行榜榜首。

同義詞
  • lead

    more general; applies to races, competitions, and rankings

  • head

    similar meaning; 'head the list' equals 'top the list'

反義詞
  • 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

The climbers topped the mountain peak.
The climbers reached the top of the mountain peak.
💡sense 2 is about rank in a competition or list, not physical height.

3. to exceed or surpass a previous achievement, amount, or offer — for example, top

3.動詞及物
釋義

超越;勝過

在成就或金額上超越他人

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.

例句

Naoko topped her personal best by running the marathon in under three hours.

Naoko 在三小時內跑完馬拉松,刷新了自己的個人最佳紀錄。

top + [personal record/score]

The charity auction raised ten thousand dollars, but Layla topped that with a single donation.

慈善拍賣會籌得一萬美元,但 Layla 一筆捐款就超過了那個數目。

同義詞
  • surpass

    more formal; stronger emphasis on exceeding

  • exceed

    formal; used mainly for numbers, limits, or expectations

  • outdo

    informal; common for personal achievements and competitions

  • beat

    informal; widely used in sports and games

反義詞

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

My score topped your score by ten points.
My score topped yours by ten points.
💡use possessive pronoun ('yours'), not 'your score' twice.

4. (informal, especially British English) to end your own life intentionally; used

4.動詞及物
釋義

自殺

結束自己的生命(委婉說法)

(informal, especially British English) to end your own life intentionally; used as a gentler or more indirect way of saying 'kill yourself'.

例句

The character in the novel threatened to top himself after losing everything.

小說中的角色在失去一切後威脅要自殺。

reflexive: top yourself

The neighbours were shocked to hear the elderly man had topped himself.

鄰居們聽說那位老先生自殺身亡都感到震驚。

同義詞
  • 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 — 名詞

top — 形容詞

top — 構詞成分

top — 字首