topspin

1 5.3

Forward turn on a ball in games like tennis that makes it dip and bounce forward after hitting the ground

noun
/ˈtɑːpˌspɪn/

: topspin

In tennis, a good player uses topspin to make the ball dip and bounce forward after it hits the ground.
topspin ball
topspin forehand
topspin lob

Examples

He needs help with the topspin.

A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018)
To hit a topspin lob in tennis, the player drops the racquet and arm considerably lower than when hitting a groundstroke.

Academic text (2005)
A topspin line drive.

Fiction book (1992)
We call that topspin.

The Contender (2000)
Put a little topspin.

Bottle Rocket (1996)
Realmuto said his first home run came on an inside fastball that he hit well but with a lot of topspin.

Blog text (6)
All professional tennis players aim to master topspin to add control to their shots.
When hitting the ball with topspin, it tends to drop quickly and bounce higher, making it harder for opponents to return.

Synonyms

English

vstopspin

Specialized

1 9.3

Spin put on a ball to change its path

is the forward kind of spin that makes the ball dip and bounce forward

How Much Spin

overspin

Specialized

1 6.3

topspin

1 5.3

Surface Forms

topspin singular

topspins plural

Morphology

topspin = top + spin (transparent) = top + spin

The meaning is a straightforward compound: 'top' + 'spin' = spin applied from the top of the ball, a readily inferable sports term.

Etymology

The word topspin is a simple joining of top ('upper part') and spin ('to turn'), so it literally means turning the top of the ball forward. That's why a topspin shot makes the ball dip quickly and then bounce forward after it hits the ground.