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23 5.3
A large tent used for circus shows
  • noun
  • /tɑp/
translation icon : carpa
  • Let's move on to our big top stories with a interlude.
  • big top

So here we have sage, big top, sage, small top, Willow, big top, Willow, small top.

Examples

  • It's shaped like one of the Monopoly "men," like the top of a circus tent.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The clown performed funny tricks under the top of the circus tent.

  • Josephine stepped inside, half expecting to choke, but a large hole in the tent top took the fumes away.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Families gathered to watch the acrobats perform high above the audience in the top of the big tent.

  • Children were excited to sit in the shade of the top as the circus show began.

Synonyms

marquee
vstop
  • UK
7 7.1

A large tent used for parties and events

is aimed at audience housing use rather than social or commercial events
big top
vstop
5 3.5

A large tent used for circus shows

is the same meaning but is the informal common name
circus tent
vstop
3 2.5

A large tent where circus performers put on shows and people watch

is focused on housing the audience rather than all show functions
large tent
vstop
1 1.3

A big shelter made of cloth for people at outdoor events

is narrower, referring specifically to housing the audience not general shelters
round top
vstop
  • UK
8.1

A large tent that holds people for a circus show

is the same sense but is a variant name
wall tent
vstop
  • US
4.5

A large camping shelter with four straight cloth walls that gives more room inside than a normal tent

is shaped for audience seating rather than a boxy four sided shelter

Idioms

29 2.8

Feeling very happy and successful

21 3.2

To do something completely by checking every part

17 4.4

Use all your voice to shout or sing very loudly

3 4.7

The thing someone thinks about most right now

3 4.6

The most important position with the highest priority

2 4.1

As loudly as possible so people can hear

To get a high job or power by being dishonest

To reach the top by fighting and pushing through many problems

8.0

To suddenly become very angry

Aware of the latest popular styles and ideas in a field

9.9

The highest and hardest job to get in politics or business

Compounds

70 3.5

The most important thing to deal with first

top-secret
  • Formal
65 5.9

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

61 5.2

Very extreme or exaggerated in a way that seems unreasonable

top secret
  • Formal
55 4.2

Information that the government keeps private for security reasons

top notch
  • Informal
38 3.6

Of the highest quality and better than most similar things

28 1.3

A tight shirt without sleeves that has wide shoulder straps

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

23 4.4

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

top dog
  • Informal
21 4.6

A person with the most power in a group

20 5.1

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

20 3.7

How fast a vehicle or person can move

17 4.3

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

15 6.8

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

top brass
  • Informal
11 5.7

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

9 3.8

Very high quality and lasts a long time

9 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

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

5 3.5

A large tent used for circus shows

5 3.3

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

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

over-the-top
  • Specialized
3 5.7

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

3 3.7

Of the highest quality, better than others like it

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

2 3.7

Shoes with tops that reach above the ankle for extra support

top cat
  • Informal
1 7.5

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

1 7.4

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

muffin top
  • Informal
1 7.5

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

top banana
  • Archaic
1 7.7

The most important person in a group or organization

1 4.2

Having a level top surface

top-up
  • UK
1 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 gear
  • Informal
1 3.8

A time when someone works at their highest speed or energy

1 2.2

The upper surface of a thing, like paper or cake

top-notcher
  • Philippine
1 8.2

A person who is among the best in a field

The highest job or status in a company

1 5.1

The first half of an inning when the visiting team bats

1 5.6

The highest level of success in a job or field

1 5.1

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

1 5.5

An item in a collection that people value most

top quark
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A very heavy tiny particle studied by physicists

1 1.3

A small toy that turns quickly on a sharp point

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

carrot top
  • Informal
7.7

A person with bright red or orange hair

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

7.2

Loud exaggerated actions meant to get attention or make people laugh

peg top
  • UK
7.6

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

tilt-top table
  • Archaic
7.0

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

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

top dressing
  • Specialized
5.4

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

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 onion
  • Specialized
9.0

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

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

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

9.1

A toy that spins when you hit it with a string

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

Surface Forms

top singular
tops plural

Etymology

Top in the phrase 'big top' for a circus tent uses top to mean the roof or cover of a place. So the top is the large tent roof under which the show happens.