| English Dictionary |
TOP (topped, topping)
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
, topping Dictionary entry overview: What does top mean?
• TOP (noun)
The noun TOP has 11 senses:
1. the upper part of anything
2. the highest or uppermost side of anything
3. the top or extreme point of something (usually a mountain or hill)
4. the first half of an inning; while the visiting team is at bat
5. the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
6. the greatest possible intensity
7. platform surrounding the head of a lower mast
8. a conical child's plaything tapering to a steel point on which it can be made to spin
9. covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container)
10. a garment (especially for women) that extends from the shoulders to the waist or hips
11. a canvas tent to house the audience at a circus performance
Familiarity information: TOP used as a noun is familiar.
• TOP (adjective)
The adjective TOP has 1 sense:
1. situated at the top or highest position
Familiarity information: TOP used as an adjective is very rare.
• TOP (verb)
The verb TOP has 10 senses:
1. be superior or better than some standard
2. pass by, over, or under without making contact
3. be at the top of or constitute the top or highest point
4. be ahead of others; be the first
5. provide with a top or finish the top (of a structure)
6. reach or ascend the top of
7. strike (the top part of a ball in golf, baseball, or pool) giving it a forward spin
8. cut the top off
9. be the culminating event
10. finish up or conclude
Familiarity information: TOP used as a verb is familiar.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
The upper part of anything
Classified under:
Nouns denoting spatial position
Context example:
the title should be written at the top of the first page
Hypernyms ("top" is a kind of...):
part; region (the extended spatial location of something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "top"):
cap; capital; chapiter (the upper part of a column that supports the entablature)
masthead (the head or top of a mast)
crown (the part of a tooth above the gum that is covered with enamel)
head (the top of something)
crown; treetop (the upper branches and leaves of a tree or other plant)
Derivation:
top (cut the top off)
top (provide with a top or finish the top (of a structure))
top (be at the top of or constitute the top or highest point)
Sense 2
Meaning:
The highest or uppermost side of anything
Classified under:
Nouns denoting spatial position
Synonyms:
top; top side; upper side; upside
Context example:
only the top side of the box was painted
Hypernyms ("top" is a kind of...):
face; side (a surface forming part of the outside of an object)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "top"):
crest; crown (the center of a cambered road)
poll (the part of the head between the ears)
crown; pate; poll (the top of the head)
desktop (the top of a desk)
rooftop (the top of a (usually flat) roof)
tiptop (the extreme top or summit)
Derivation:
top (strike (the top part of a ball in golf, baseball, or pool) giving it a forward spin)
top (pass by, over, or under without making contact)
Sense 3
Meaning:
The top or extreme point of something (usually a mountain or hill)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting spatial position
Synonyms:
crest; crown; peak; summit; tip; top
Context example:
the region is a few molecules wide at the summit
Hypernyms ("top" is a kind of...):
place; spot; topographic point (a point located with respect to surface features of some region)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "top"):
mountain peak (the summit of a mountain)
pinnacle (a lofty peak)
brow; hilltop (the peak of a hill)
Derivation:
top (pass by, over, or under without making contact)
top (reach or ascend the top of)
Sense 4
Meaning:
The first half of an inning; while the visiting team is at bat
Classified under:
Nouns denoting time and temporal relations
Synonyms:
top; top of the inning
Context example:
a relief pitcher took over in the top of the fifth
Hypernyms ("top" is a kind of...):
bout; round; turn ((sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive)
Holonyms ("top" is a part of...):
frame; inning ((baseball) one of nine divisions of play during which each team has a turn at bat)
Antonym:
bottom (the second half of an inning; while the home team is at bat)
Sense 5
Meaning:
The highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Synonyms:
acme; elevation; height; meridian; peak; pinnacle; summit; superlative; tiptop; top
Context example:
at the top of his profession
Hypernyms ("top" is a kind of...):
degree; level; point; stage (a specific identifiable position in a continuum or series or especially in a process)
Derivation:
top (be superior or better than some standard)
top (be ahead of others; be the first)
Sense 6
Meaning:
The greatest possible intensity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Context example:
he screamed at the top of his lungs
Hypernyms ("top" is a kind of...):
intensity; intensiveness (high level or degree; the property of being intense)
Sense 7
Meaning:
Platform surrounding the head of a lower mast
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("top" is a kind of...):
platform (a raised horizontal surface)
Holonyms ("top" is a part of...):
ship (a vessel that carries passengers or freight)
Sense 8
Meaning:
A conical child's plaything tapering to a steel point on which it can be made to spin
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
spinning top; teetotum; top; whirligig
Context example:
he got a bright red top and string for his birthday
Hypernyms ("top" is a kind of...):
plaything; toy (an artifact designed to be played with)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "top"):
humming top (a top that makes a humming noise as it spins)
peg top (a pear-shaped top made of wood with a metal center pin)
whip top; whipping top (a top that is spun by whipping)
Sense 9
Meaning:
Covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
cover; top
Context example:
put the cover back on the kettle
Hypernyms ("top" is a kind of...):
covering (an artifact that covers something else (usually to protect or shelter or conceal it))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "top"):
cap (a top (as for a bottle))
lid (a movable top or cover (hinged or separate) for closing the opening at the top of a box, chest, jar, pan, etc.)
manhole cover (a flush iron cover for a manhole (as in a street))
screwtop (the top of a container that must be screwed off and on)
Sense 10
Meaning:
A garment (especially for women) that extends from the shoulders to the waist or hips
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Context example:
he stared as she buttoned her top
Hypernyms ("top" is a kind of...):
woman's clothing (clothing that is designed for women to wear)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "top"):
blouse (a top worn by women)
bodice (part of a dress above the waist)
bustier (a close-fitting and strapless top without sleeves that is worn by women either as lingerie or for evening dress)
halter (a woman's top that fastens behind the back and neck leaving the back and arms uncovered)
Sense 11
Meaning:
A canvas tent to house the audience at a circus performance
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
big top; circus tent; round top; top
Context example:
they had the big top up in less than an hour
Hypernyms ("top" is a kind of...):
canvas; canvas tent; canvass (a tent made of canvas fabric)
Holonyms ("top" is a part of...):
circus (an arena consisting of an oval or circular area enclosed by tiers of seats and usually covered by a tent)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Situated at the top or highest position
Context example:
the top shelf
Similar:
apical (situated at an apex)
crowning (forming or providing a crown or summit)
topmost; upmost; uppermost (at or nearest to the top)
upper (the topmost one of two)
Also:
best ((superlative of 'good') having the most positive qualities)
high ((literal meaning) being at or having a relatively great or specific elevation or upward extension (sometimes used in combinations like 'knee-high'))
Antonym:
bottom (situated at the bottom or lowest position)
side (located on a side)
| Conjugation: |
... he / she / it tops Past simple: topped
Past participle: topped
-ing form: topping
Sense 1
Meaning:
Be superior or better than some standard
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
exceed; go past; overstep; pass; top; transcend
Context example:
She topped her performance of last year
Hypernyms (to "top" is one way to...):
excel; stand out; surpass (distinguish oneself)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Derivation:
top (the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development)
topper (an exceedingly good witticism that surpasses all that have gone before)
topper (the person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Pass by, over, or under without making contact
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Synonyms:
clear; top
Context example:
the balloon cleared the tree tops
Hypernyms (to "top" is one way to...):
overhaul; overtake; pass (travel past)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "top"):
hop (jump across)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Derivation:
top (the top or extreme point of something (usually a mountain or hill))
top (the highest or uppermost side of anything)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Be at the top of or constitute the top or highest point
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Context example:
A star tops the Christmas Tree
Hypernyms (to "top" is one way to...):
lie (be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Derivation:
top (the upper part of anything)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Be ahead of others; be the first
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
lead; top
Context example:
she topped her class every year
"Top" entails doing...:
compete; contend; vie (compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Derivation:
top (the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development)
topper (the person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Provide with a top or finish the top (of a structure)
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Synonyms:
top; top out
Context example:
the towers were topped with conical roofs
Hypernyms (to "top" is one way to...):
furnish; provide; render; supply (give something useful or necessary to)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
top (the upper part of anything)
topper (a worker who makes or adds the top to something)
Sense 6
Meaning:
Reach or ascend the top of
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Context example:
The hikers topped the mountain just before noon
Hypernyms (to "top" is one way to...):
arrive at; attain; gain; hit; make; reach (reach a destination, either real or abstract)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
top (the top or extreme point of something (usually a mountain or hill))
Sense 7
Meaning:
Strike (the top part of a ball in golf, baseball, or pool) giving it a forward spin
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "top" is one way to...):
hit (cause to move by striking)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
top (the highest or uppermost side of anything)
Sense 8
Meaning:
Cut the top off
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
pinch; top
Context example:
top trees and bushes
Hypernyms (to "top" is one way to...):
clip; crop; cut back; dress; lop; prune; snip; trim (cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "top"):
tail (remove the stalk of fruits or berries)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
They top the trees
Derivation:
top (the upper part of anything)
topper (a worker who cuts tops off (of trees or vegetables etc.))
Sense 9
Meaning:
Be the culminating event
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
crown; top
Context example:
The speech crowned the meeting
Hypernyms (to "top" is one way to...):
climax; culminate (end, especially to reach a final or climactic stage)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Sense 10
Meaning:
Finish up or conclude
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
top; top off
Context example:
top the evening with champagne
Hypernyms (to "top" is one way to...):
complete; finish (come or bring to a finish or an end)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Context examples
Mr. Micawber was waiting for me within the gate, and we went up to his room (top story but one), and cried very much.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
The thin top layer of the dermis (the inner layer of the skin).
(Papillary dermis, NCI Dictionary)
We progress, do we not? Now, will you please look at the top of that rocky pinnacle? Do you observe something there?
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
For the rest, his ears were pale, and at the tops extremely pointed; the chin was broad and strong, and the cheeks firm though thin.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
Now, Mr. Lestrade, I will ask you all to accompany me to the top landing.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Let’s now look at the rest of the month, and for that, we will have to start at the top.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
The patient orientation relative to the image plane, specified by a value that designates the anatomical direction of the positive column axis (top to bottom).
(Patient Orientation Column, NCI Thesaurus/DICOM)
On the top of that the three gentlemen went below, and not long after, word was sent forward that Jim Hawkins was wanted in the cabin.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
When they were all sitting in a row on the top of the wall, they looked down and saw a strange sight.
(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)
Top off! cried the mouse, that is a very odd and uncommon name, is it a usual one in your family?
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Who has no heart, has no heels." (Albanian proverb)
"The best answer comes from the man who isn't angry." (Arabic proverb)
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