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top

top

∞ 1.0
The upper part or surface of an object
  • noun
  • /tɑp/
: parte superior
  • So as you can see, it's on the top hole right now.
  • top to bottom
  • top of the page
  • climb to the top

That goes there up on top of the two Reds.

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Examples

  • A finely carved human head is displayed at the top of this lamellophone.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The top of the cake was decorated with fresh strawberries.

  • You made it to the top of the church.

  • And you see the opening at the top, not the bottom, right.

  • These courses of stone laid one on top of the other.

  • Let's see how it looks from the top!

  • The result has been compared to many low buildings piled on top of one another.

    Academic text (2012)
  • High on the balcony that ran around the top of the studio, Alabama watched them.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • You may find the 'Useful Info' tab near the top of the page professionally useful and interesting.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Spectators cheered as she reached the turnaround point at the top of Rattlesnake Rock.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

peak
vstop
384 2.1

The highest point something reaches, like a mountain or an achievement

is the general word for an upper part, not only peaks or levels
tip
vstop
301 1.2

The pointed end of something like a knife or pencil

is broader, covering whole upper surfaces not only small ends
upside
vstop
104 2.5

The top surface of something like a box or roof

is more general, meaning any upper area or highest point
summit
vstop
77 3.6

The highest point of a hill or mountain

is a general term for any upper surface or high point
crown
vstop
38 4.1

The top part of something, for example the raised middle of a road

is neutral for any highest part, not implying decoration
mountaintop
vstop
38 2.5

The highest point of a mountain

is more general, applying beyond just mountain peaks
crest
vstop
35 3.9

The highest part of a hill, mountain or road

is a general uppermost term, not limited to ridges or curves
cap
vstop
33 2.9

The top part of something like a column or mushroom

is general for the upper part without implying a cover or lid
apex
vstop
24 4.4

The top point of something, like a mountain or pyramid

is more general, not limited to sharp or pointed ends
18 3.7

The top level that something reaches

also applies to flat surfaces and general upper parts, not only extremes
upper side
vstop
12 2.3

The top surface of an object that faces up

is broader, covering both flat surfaces and single high points
8 1.8

The pointed top of a mountain that is the highest part

is general and applies beyond mountains to any upper part
top side
vstop
3 2.2

The upper surface of a thing, like paper or cake

is broader, covering both flat surfaces and single high points
2 2.8

The top side of an object that you can touch or see

is broader, covering that surface and also single high points
topside
vstop
1 3.7

The top surface of a thing like a table

is the general word for any uppermost area or point
ridgetop
vstop
1 4.2

The top part of a long narrow hill or mountain

is broader, applying to many objects beyond ridges
vertex
vstop
1 7.2

The highest point of something, like a mountain or pyramid

is the broader word for any upper surface or high point
tiptop
vstop
1 3.5

The very top point of something like a tree or mountain

is a neutral term for any upper area, not only extremes

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

The lowest part or surface of a thing, often under water

Idioms

40 3.2

To do something completely by checking every part

38 2.8

Feeling very happy and successful

6 4.7

The thing someone thinks about most right now

5 4.6

The most important position with the highest priority

Aware of the latest popular styles and ideas in a field

1 9.9

The highest and hardest job to get in politics or business

1 4.4

Use all your voice to shout or sing very loudly

8.0

To suddenly become very angry

To get a high job or power by being dishonest

To reach the top by fighting and pushing through many problems

As loudly as possible so people can hear

Compounds

top secret
  • Formal
128 4.2

Information that the government keeps private for security reasons

117 5.2

Very extreme or exaggerated in a way that seems unreasonable

89 3.5

The most important thing to deal with first

top-secret
  • Formal
55 5.9

Information that only a very small number of people are allowed to know

top notch
  • Informal
51 3.6

Of the highest quality and better than most similar things

A product that has very high quality and is often the most expensive option

The exact time when a new hour begins, for example 3:00

31 1.3

A tight shirt without sleeves that has wide shoulder straps

top dog
  • Informal
26 4.6

A person with the most power in a group

25 4.3

A tall hat with a flat top and straight sides worn with formal clothes

23 5.1

The highest price people pay for something because it is rare or very valuable

23 3.7

How fast a vehicle or person can move

22 4.4

The highest shelf in a storage space or a thing of the highest quality

14 3.8

Very high quality and lasts a long time

top brass
  • Informal
13 5.7

The most important people in a company or the army who make big decisions

13 6.8

Very high quality or the upper drawer in a piece of furniture

8 6.2

Of very high quality and among the best in its field

7 6.2

The most important name that appears first in ads or credits

7 3.5

A large tent used for circus shows

muffin top
  • Informal
7 7.5

A layer of fat that spills over a tight waistband of trousers or a skirt

5 3.7

Shoes with tops that reach above the ankle for extra support

5 4.2

Having a level top surface

What you see from a high place or from a position of power

4 3.7

Of the highest quality, better than others like it

3 3.3

A shoe with a top that reaches above the ankle for extra support

3 2.2

The upper surface of a thing, like paper or cake

2 5.1

The first half of an inning when the visiting team bats

top cat
  • Informal
2 7.5

A person who is in charge of a group and makes the main decisions

top-up
  • UK
2 3.2

An extra amount you add to bring something back to the desired level

top boot
  • Archaic
1 7.7

A tall leather shoe that reaches halfway to the knee and is worn for riding or historical dress

top banana
  • Archaic
1 7.7

The most important person in a group or organization

1 7.4

A car with a roof that you can fold down or remove

top gear
  • Informal
1 3.8

A time when someone works at their highest speed or energy

carrot top
  • Informal
1 7.7

A person with bright red or orange hair

1 1.3

A small toy that turns quickly on a sharp point

1 5.6

The highest level of success in a job or field

over-the-top
  • Specialized
1 5.7

Delivered over the internet directly to users instead of through cable services

top quark
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A very heavy tiny particle studied by physicists

The highest job or status in a company

A list of ingredients and steps that people keep secret to make a food unique

top-notcher
  • Philippine
1 8.2

A person who is among the best in a field

1 5.1

A lean piece of beef from the upper back leg used for roasting or thin slicing

1 7.2

Loud exaggerated actions meant to get attention or make people laugh

A product that is the best and most expensive in a range

top dressing
  • Specialized
1 5.4

A thin layer of compost or fertilizer spread on top of soil to help plants grow without mixing it in

1 5.5

An item in a collection that people value most

tilt-top table
  • Archaic
1 7.0

A small table with a top that can be turned up to stand upright to save space

top onion
  • Specialized
1 9.0

A plant that makes small bulbs at the top instead of flowers and gives young shoots for salads

1 9.1

A toy that spins when you hit it with a string

calash top
  • Archaic
9.9

A folding hood on a carriage pulled by horses that protects passengers from rain and wind

celery top pine
  • Australian
9.9

A tall evergreen tree from Tasmania with strong, fine wood that people use for boats and building

A spinning toy that makes a soft buzzing sound when it moves

rattle-top
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall North American plant with long white flowers that keeps insects away

8.1

A large tent that holds people for a circus show

peg top
  • UK
7.6

A wooden toy shaped like a pear with a metal point you spin with a string

9.0

A small table with a top that folds up to stand upright for storage

top-up
  • UK
3.5

A prepaid code or card you use to add credit to a phone

top fermenting yeast
  • Specialized
5.8

A yeast that rises to the top when beer is made and is used to brew ales

top lift
  • Specialized
8.9

The bottom part of a shoe heel that often wears away and needs replacing

The most expensive area of a town where rich people live

top fermentation
  • Specialized
5.8

A way of making beer where yeast rises to the top at warm temperatures for ales

top-gallant yard
  • Specialized
9.9

A long horizontal pole high on a sailing ship that holds the topgallant sail

8.8

A top that shows the lower part of the breasts

whipping top
  • Archaic
8.0

A toy top you make spin by hitting it with a short cord

A kitchen counter with a wooden top for preparing and eating food

How High

summit
77 3.6
top
∞ 1.0
middle
∞ 1.0
base
179 1.0

Surface Forms

top singular
tops plural

Etymology

Top comes from an old English word topp meaning 'tuft' or the highest part, like the small bunch at the top of a tree. So top now means the uppermost part of something.