top
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
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.
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。
Each slice of bread was topped with a thin spread of butter and jam.
每片麵包上都抹了一層薄薄的奶油和果醬。
passive: be topped with [ingredient]
The wedding cake was topped by two small figures of the bride and groom.
婚禮蛋糕的頂端擺放著新郎和新娘的兩個小瓷偶。
White candles topped the mantelpiece, standing between two glass vases.
白色蠟燭立於壁爐架上，兩支之間擺著玻璃花瓶。
- topped with cream
- topped with icing
- topped with snow
- topped with cheese
- topped by
- 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
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.
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。
The medical drama topped the television ratings every Thursday evening.
那部醫療劇每週四晚間穩坐收視率冠軍寶座。
Hari's travel blog topped the online rankings for independent travel guides.
Hari 的旅遊部落格在獨立旅行指南線上排名中高居榜首。
top + [online ranking/category]
The university's engineering programme topped the national league table for five years.
該大學的工程學程已連續五年在全國大學排名中位居第一。
- 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
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
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.
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。
Brandon topped his old score of ninety-five with a perfect result on the final exam.
Brandon 期末考拿到滿分，超越了他之前九十五分的成績。
One bank matched the bid offer, but a second topped it by two million dollars.
一家銀行匹配了競標報價，但另一家多出了兩百萬美元。
passive: be topped by [amount]
William told one story, but Élise topped it with a hilarious impression of the teacher.
William 講了一個故事，但 Élise 模仿老師的滑稽樣子更勝一籌。
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
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
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'.
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。
Kwame's poem dealt gently with a friend who had topped himself years before.
Kwame 的詩作溫柔地探討了一位多年前自殺的朋友。
Police found notes suggesting the man had planned to top himself.
警方發現了一些筆記，顯示該名男子原本打算自殺。
- top yourself
- top himself
- top herself
- top themselves
- 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
- topsingular
- topsplural
1. the highest position or point within a physical space or range, such as a mounta
最高點
物體或範圍內最高的位置
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.
Emma 的名字出現在考試成績的最上面。
collocation: at the top of [list/ranking]
Rachid placed the vase carefully on the top of the wooden cabinet.
Rachid 小心地把花瓶放在木櫃子的頂部。
The top of the hill offers a clear view of the whole valley.
山頂能清楚地看到整個山谷。
noun as subject: The top of [place] + verb
Diya wrote her phone number at the top of the note.
Diya 把電話號碼寫在便條的最上方。
Snow covers the top of that mountain for most of the year.
那座山的山頂一年大部分時間都覆蓋著雪。
- at the top of
- to the top of
- from the top of
- on top of
- 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
頂面
物體平坦的上方表面
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.
那隻貓睡在老舊木桌的平坦桌面上。
collocation: on the top of [furniture]
Defne wiped the top of the desk with a damp cloth.
Defne 用濕布擦了擦書桌的桌面。
A thin layer of dust had settled on the top of the bookcase.
書架頂部積了一層薄薄的灰塵。
Naoko placed the keys on the kitchen top near the window.
Naoko 把鑰匙放在窗邊流理臺的頂面上。
- on the top of
- top of the desk
- table top
- kitchen top
- 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
上半局
棒球一局中客隊進攻的前半部分
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.
客隊在第一局上半局得了三分。
pattern: in the top of the [number] inning
The home fans watched the top of the ninth with growing excitement.
主場球迷看著第九局上半局，心情越來越興奮。
The pitcher struck out two batters in the top of the third inning.
那位投手在第三局上半局三振了兩名打者。
By the top of the fifth, the home crowd had grown very quiet.
到了第五局上半局時，主場觀眾已經變得非常安靜。
- top of the inning
- top of the first
- in the top of
- 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
上衣
穿在腰以上身體部位的衣物
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.
Tamar 穿了一件紅色上衣搭配藍色牛仔褲。
collocation: a [colour] top
Élise bought a cotton top with small flowers printed on it.
Élise 買了一件印有小花的棉質上衣。
The shop sells summer tops in bright colours and patterns.
那家店販售各種鮮豔顏色和圖案的夏季上衣。
Lien changed into a clean top before going to the party.
Lien 換上一件乾淨的上衣才去參加派對。
- 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
蓋子
用來關閉容器或瓶子的蓋
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.
Eric 把蓋子轉回水瓶上。
collocation: screw the top on/onto [container]
The top of the jar was stuck, so Antonia ran it under hot water.
罐子的蓋子卡住了，所以 Antonia 用熱水沖了一下。
Always put the top back on the pen after you finish writing.
寫完字後一定要把筆蓋蓋回去。
Tariq found a bottle with a blue plastic top in the cupboard.
Tariq 在櫥櫃裡找到一個藍色塑膠蓋的瓶子。
- top of the bottle
- screw the top
- put the top on
- take the top off
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
頂尖地位
組織或團體中最重要的位置
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.
Maeve 努力工作了多年，終於爬到事業的頂峰。
collocation: reach the top of [profession]
Faisal's father is at the top of the company's management team.
Faisal 的父親在公司管理團隊中位居最高層。
Only a few people ever make it to the top in the music industry.
在音樂產業中，只有少數人能達到頂尖地位。
The board meeting included executives from the top of the organisation.
董事會議包括來自組織高層的主管。
- at the top of
- reach the top
- to the top
- the very top
- 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
整點
每個整點時刻
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.
這家電台的新聞報導在每小時的整點開始。
set phrase: top of the hour
Sana checked her watch and noticed it was almost the top of the hour.
Sana 看了一眼手錶，發現快要到整點了。
The church bells ring at the top of every hour throughout the night.
教堂的鐘聲在每小時的整點都會響起，持續一整晚。
collocation: every hour / top of the hour
Feng waited until the top of the hour to call the customer service line.
Feng 一直等到整點，才打電話給客服專線。
Lukas missed the weather update because he tuned in after the top of the hour.
Lukas 錯過了天氣預報，因為他在整點過後才收聽。
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
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
陀螺
底部尖尖、會旋轉的玩具
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.
小男孩在廚房地板上轉動他的木製陀螺，直到它倒下來。
collocation: spin a top
Rania bought her nephew a brightly coloured spinning top for his birthday.
Rania 買了一個色彩鮮豔的旋轉陀螺送給姪子當生日禮物。
Trang showed the children how to wind the string around the top before throwing it.
Trang 教孩子們如何先把繩子繞在陀螺上再拋出去。
collocation: wind string around a top
The antique wooden top wobbled for a moment and then stopped spinning.
那個古老的木製陀螺搖晃了一下，然後就停止轉動了。
Yasmin collected painted tops from her travels across Southeast Asia.
Yasmin 從她在東南亞的旅行中收集了許多彩繪陀螺。
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
常見錯誤
9. a decorative piece of jewellery worn on the ear, typically one of a matching set
耳環
戴在耳朵上的飾品
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.
Yael 在珠寶店的展示櫃裡挑了一對銀色耳環。
collocation: a pair of tops
Esme's ears felt sore, so she replaced her heavy earrings with light tops.
Esme 的耳朵感到痠痛，於是把沉重的耳環換成輕巧的耳環。
The antique shop sold Victorian tops made of gold and mother-of-pearl.
那家古董店賣的是維多利亞時代的金製和珍珠母貝耳環。
collocation: gold / mother-of-pearl tops
Lukas helped his daughter pick out small tops for her first ear piercing.
Lukas 幫女兒挑了幾副小耳環，給她第一次穿耳洞用。
Trang wore tiny flower-shaped tops that her sister had sent from Tokyo.
Trang 戴著妹妹從東京寄來的小花造型耳環。
collocation: flower-shaped tops
- a pair of tops
- gold tops
- silver tops
- diamond tops
- flower-shaped tops
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,
菜葉
根莖類蔬菜的綠色葉子
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.
農夫在包裝紅蘿蔔運往市場之前，先切掉了菜葉。
collocation: cut the tops off [vegetable]
Heather used the beet tops in her salad instead of throwing them away.
Heather 沒有把甜菜葉丟掉，而是加進沙拉裡吃。
Sana trimmed the turnip tops and put them in the compost bin.
Sana 把蕪菁的葉子剪掉，放進堆肥桶裡。
collocation: trim the tops
The vegetable seller removed the wilted tops from the radishes on display.
菜販把展示櫃上的櫻桃蘿蔔枯黃的葉子摘掉了。
You can cook the tops of spring onions just like you cook spinach.
你可以像煮菠菜那樣，把青蔥的綠色葉子煮熟來吃。
collocation: tops of spring onions
- carrot tops
- beet tops
- turnip tops
- radish tops
- cut off the tops
- trim the tops
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
on top
idiomin a winning or leading position; in control of a situation
處於領先地位；掌控局面
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
在…上面；除此之外；完全掌控
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
不經思考地；憑記憶粗略地說
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
過度的；誇張的
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
大聲地；聲嘶力竭地
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
徹底地；從頭到尾
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
極度快樂；心滿意足
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.
在頂端/底層
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.
在行業頂端
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.
大發雷霆
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.
在底層/頂端
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.
勝出
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.
從頭到腳
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.
壓垮某人
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.
掌控
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.
在…之上
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.
從頭開始
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.
頭頂稀疏/禿頭
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.
腦袋聰明
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 — 形容詞
- toppositive
- toppercomparative
- toppestsuperlative
1. located at the highest point, surface, or level of something — for example, the
最高的
位於最上面的
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.
Dylan 把花瓶放在最高的架子上，以免小孩碰到。
top + noun (shelf, floor, drawer, etc.)
The hotel restaurant on the top floor has a view of the whole city.
那間飯店最高樓層的餐廳可以看到整座城市的景色。
Amira wrote her phone number on the top line of the form.
Amira 把自己的電話號碼寫在表格最上方那一行。
Erik's name appeared at the top edge of the guest list.
Erik 的名字出現在賓客名單的最上方邊緣。
positional noun: edge, corner, row
The top button of Sayaka's coat was missing, so she fastened the second one instead.
Sayaka 外套最上面的那顆釦子掉了，所以她扣上第二顆。
- top shelf
- top floor
- top drawer
- top edge
- top button
- top corner
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
上方的
靠近頂部位置的
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.
Élise 從報紙的上方角落撕下一角，好保留食譜。
top + part-noun (half, quarter, third, section)
The top half of the mirror was cracked, but the bottom part was still fine.
鏡子的上半部裂了，但下半部還是好的。
Esteban stored his passport in the top drawer of his bedside table.
Esteban 把自己的護照放在床頭櫃的上層抽屜裡。
Hugo folded the paper so that only the top portion of the map was visible.
Hugo 把紙摺起來，只讓地圖的上半部分看得見。
top + portion / section / part
- top half
- top quarter
- top section
- top portion
- top drawer
- top corner
- 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
頂尖的
最重要或最優秀的
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.
Indra 被國內其中一所頂尖法學院錄取了。
top + institution (school, university, hospital, company)
The restaurant chain was named a top employer three years in a row.
那間連鎖餐廳連續三年獲選為頂尖雇主。
Vivek's design won a top prize at the international science fair.
Vivek 的設計在國際科學展中獲得頂尖獎項。
top + prize / award / honor
The magazine publishes a list of the top ten holiday destinations each year.
那本雜誌每年都會公布前十名最佳度假地點。
Emre's father works for a top software company that makes security products.
Emre 的父親在一家知名的頂尖軟體公司工作。
- top school
- top university
- top employer
- top prize
- top award
- top destination
- top company
- top athlete
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
最高層的
組織中職位最高的
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.
參加會議的高層主管們同意將成本削減百分之十。
top + role noun (executive, official, manager, advisor)
Safety is our top priority whenever we design a new playground.
每次我們設計新的遊樂場時，安全是我們最優先的事項。
top + priority / concern / issue
A team of top advisors met with the president to discuss trade policy.
一組高層顧問與總統會面，討論貿易政策。
Eli was promoted to a top position in the regional sales department.
Eli 升任區域業務部門的高層職位。
top + position / post / job
The charity's top donor chose to remain anonymous.
那間慈善機構的最高額捐款人選擇匿名。
- top executive
- top official
- top priority
- top position
- top advisor
- top manager
- top donor
- top candidate
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
最快的
以最大速度行進的
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.
這輛跑車的最高時速可達三百公里。
collocation: top speed
Eric shifted the truck into top gear to climb the steep hill.
Eric 把卡車換到最高檔位來爬上陡峭的山坡。
collocation: top gear
The tractor reached its top speed of forty kilometres per hour on flat ground.
拖拉機在平地上的最高時速達到四十公里。
collocation: top speed
Mei shifted her motorbike into top gear as she approached the long highway stretch.
Mei 接近那段長長的公路路段時，把摩托車換到最高檔。
- top speed
- top gear
- 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
第一名的
班級裡成績最優秀的
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.
Sayaka 整個學期都很用功，最後在生物課拿到全班第一名。
finish top of + group / class / year
Hugo came top in the national spelling competition two years in a row.
Hugo 連續兩年在全國拼字比賽中獲得第一名。
come / finish / be top + in / of + competition
The student who scores top marks will receive a five-thousand-dollar scholarship.
獲得最高分的學生將得到五千美元的獎學金。
top marks / top score / top grade
Amira was the top performer in the company's sales training programme.
Amira 是公司銷售培訓計劃中表現最優秀的學員。
- 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')
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
最佳狀態
處於最好的表現或體能水準
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.
Feng 今天處於最佳狀態，已經連續贏了三盤。
collocation: 'in top form' for peak performance
The basketball team trained hard to stay in top condition for the championship game.
這支籃球隊努力訓練，以在冠軍賽中保持最佳體能。
collocation: 'in top condition' for physical readiness
After six months of daily practice, Constanza finally felt in top shape for the marathon.
經過六個月的每日練習，Constanza 終於覺得自己為馬拉松準備到最佳狀態。
collocation: 'in top shape' after training
Tamar was in top form during the interview and impressed everyone in the room.
Tamar 在面試時表現極佳，給在場所有人都留下深刻印象。
- 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
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
頂級
品質非常好的或最高等級的
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.
Lukas 這學期在物理期末考試中拿到了最高分。
collocation: 'top marks' — used for exam results
The new hotel offers top service and has already won several awards.
這家新飯店提供頂級服務，已經贏得了好幾個獎項。
collocation: 'top service' for business quality
Tanvi bought a top-quality coat that kept her warm through three winters.
Tanvi 買了一件頂級品質的外套，穿了三個冬天還是很保暖。
compound adjective: 'top-quality' before noun
Christopher works for one of the top companies in the technology industry.
Christopher 在科技業最頂尖的公司之一工作。
Hassan's restaurant serves top food that attracts customers from nearby towns.
Hassan 的餐廳提供頂級美食，吸引了附近城鎮的客人。
- 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
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 — 構詞成分
1. used to form words about a particular place or area of land — for example, topog
地方；地名
與地方或地名有關的
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.
Nellie 研究了安地斯山脈的地形，以找出最陡峭的山口位置。
combining form: topography (physical features of a place)
A topographical map uses contour lines to show the heights of hills and valleys.
那張地形圖標示了山谷中的每一座山丘和河流。
Christopher studied toponymy and learned how migration shaped town names along the Mississippi.
Christopher 研究了密西西比河沿岸城鎮的地名學。
combining form: toponymy (study of place names)
The topographic survey showed where the land was flat enough for the new housing estate.
地形測量結果顯示哪些土地夠平坦，可以興建新的住宅區。
The toponym 'Soho' once meant a hunting area but now names a busy London district.
地名「Soho」原本指的是倫敦的一處狩獵區。
combining form: toponym (place name)
- topographical survey
- topographical map
- topographic features
- toponymic study
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
拓樸
與拓樸學有關的
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.
Yara 的教授用甜甜圈和杯子示範，說明在拓樸學中它們拉伸後形狀相同。
combining form: topology (shapes studied through stretching and bending)
The topological layout of a computer network determines how data packets travel between connected devices.
網路的拓樸特性會影響資料在其中的流動方式。
combining form: topological (network connectivity layout)
In topology class, Elise drew knots and tested which could be untangled without cutting.
在拓樸學課上，Élise 畫了幾個繩結，並測試哪些可以不剪開就解開。
The topological map helps subway passengers see which stations connect to one another.
那張拓樸地圖幫助地鐵乘客看清楚哪些車站之間可以互相轉乘。
combining form: topological (connection structure of a network)
- topological space
- topological structure
- topological properties
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 — 字首
1. Attached to the front of an adjective or a participle (such as -quality, -sellin
頂級；最佳
加在形容詞或分詞前表「最好」
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.
鎮上評價最高的飯店為客人提供美麗的海景。
top- + participle: top-rated + noun
Chiara's debut novel became the top-selling book in South Korea last year.
Chiara 的出道小說去年成為韓國最暢銷的書籍。
Padma's restaurant uses only top-quality ingredients for its handmade pasta.
Padma 的餐廳僅使用最優質的食材來製作手工義大利麵。
top- + noun: top-quality + noun
Christopher was named top-performing employee at the firm's annual meeting.
Christopher 在公司的年度會議上被評為表現最佳的員工。
The university provides top-tier research facilities to its science students.
這所大學為其理科學生提供頂級的研究設備。
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-
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).
常見錯誤
同根字
常見搭配
名詞搭配
- top of the range
- top of the line
- top of the class
- top of the list
- top of the hour
常用片語
- 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
介系詞搭配
- at the top of
- on top of
- to the top of
- from the top of