top
top
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "top" is /tɒp/.
/tɒp/
Word Form Variations
Noun: top (singular), tops (plural)
Verb: top (base form), tops (third person singular present), topping (present participle), topped (past simple, past participle)
Adjective: top (no comparative/superlative forms)
Adverb: top (informal, often with "on")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The highest point or part of something.
Synonyms: apex, peak, summit, crest, pinnacle, zenith, crown
Antonyms: bottom, base, foot, nadir, lowest point
Definition 2: The highest rank, position, or level; the most important or successful person or thing.
Synonyms: peak, summit, pinnacle, acme, prime, forefront, leadership
Antonyms: bottom, lowest rank, subordinate, periphery, last place
Definition 3: The upper surface or covering of something.
Synonyms: lid, cover, cap, surface, exterior
Antonyms: bottom, underside, interior, base
Definition 4: A garment covering the upper part of the body.
Synonyms: shirt, blouse, t-shirt, camisole, tank top
Antonyms: bottom (garment), trousers, skirt, shorts
Definition 5: A child's toy that spins rapidly on a point.
Synonyms: spinning top, gyro, whirligig
Antonyms: (No direct antonym; refers to a specific toy)
Definition 6: (Nautical) A platform at the head of a mast, especially in a sailing ship.
Synonyms: crow's nest (if for lookout), masthead
Antonyms: deck, hull
Verb
Definition 1: To be at the highest part of (something); to cover the top of.
Synonyms: cap, crown, surmount, cover, overlay
Antonyms: bottom (out), uncover, expose
Definition 2: To be higher or greater than (something); to exceed.
Synonyms: exceed, surpass, outdo, beat, best, overcome
Antonyms: fall short of, be less than, fail, trail, underperform
Definition 3: To reach the highest point of (a hill or mountain).
Synonyms: summit, conquer, scale, ascend, crest
Antonyms: descend, fall (from), drop (from)
Definition 4: To put a topping or finishing layer on (food or an object).
Synonyms: garnish, finish, crown, decorate, complete
Antonyms: strip, remove (topping), undress
Adjective
Definition 1: Being at the highest point or position.
Synonyms: highest, uppermost, topmost, supreme, paramount, leading
Antonyms: bottom, lowest, subordinate, inferior, secondary
Definition 2: Of the highest quality, importance, or rank; leading.
Synonyms: excellent, premier, prime, leading, best, elite, chief
Antonyms: worst, lowest, inferior, poor, secondary, subordinate
Adverb
Definition 1 (informal): At or to the highest point or position. (Often in phrases like "on top")
Synonyms: above, aloft, overhead, upstairs (if applicable)
Antonyms: below, beneath, underneath, downstairs
Examples of Use
Books:
"He reached the top of Mount Kenya, gazing at the breathtaking panoramic view below." (Fictional example from an adventure novel or travelogue)
"The book offers insights from the top minds in artificial intelligence, exploring the future of technology." (From a non-fiction book on technology or thought leadership)
"She wore a simple cotton top and jeans, preferring comfort over elaborate fashion." (Fictional example from a contemporary novel describing clothing)
Newspapers:
"Safricom remained at the top of the Nairobi Securities Exchange for market capitalization this quarter." ("Business Daily Africa,")
"The new luxury hotel features a rooftop pool and bar at the very top of the skyscraper." ("The Standard,")
"The government announced a new initiative to attract top talent to critical sectors of the economy." ("Daily Nation,")
Online Publications:
"Our ultimate guide to the top 10 safari parks in Kenya for your next adventure." (An article on a travel blog, e.g., Lonely Planet Online)
"How to get your website to the top of Google search results: SEO strategies revealed." (An article on a digital marketing blog, e.g., Moz Blog)
"The top features of the new smartphone include an improved camera and longer battery life." (A tech review on "The Verge,")
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I'll be back." (Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, a top-tier action character, in The Terminator, 1984) - This implicitly refers to a high level of capability.
Television Series: "For your final challenge, you must bake a cake that looks like the top of a famous landmark." (Instructions on a baking competition show, e.g., The Great British Bake Off)
Song Lyrics: "We are the champions, my friends, and we'll keep on fighting till the end. We are the champions, we are the champions. No time for losers, 'cause we are the champions of the world." (Queen, "We Are the Champions," 1977) - This implicitly speaks of reaching the "top."
Video Games: "Your mission is to reach the top of the enemy fortress and plant the flag." (In-game objective, e.g., Assassin's Creed)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we interview a top-tier astrophysicist about the latest discoveries in space." (A podcast host introducing an expert guest, e.g., StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you open the top of this jar for me? It's really tight." (A common request)
"He finished at the top of his class, earning a scholarship." (Praising academic achievement)
"The top layer of the cake is covered in cream cheese frosting." (Describing food preparation)
"I need to buy a new top to go with these jeans." (A common statement about clothing)
"Let's meet at the top of the hour for the next discussion." (Referring to the start of an hour)
"The project needs top priority right now." (Emphasizing importance)
10 Quotes Using Top
"It's lonely at the top." (Common phrase, widely attributed)
"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." (Muhammad Ali, 1964) - This implies performing at the "top" of one's game.
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream" speech, 1963) - This speaks of reaching the "top" of social justice.
"We are the champions, my friends, and we'll keep on fighting till the end. We are the champions, we are the champions. No time for losers, 'cause we are the champions of the world." (Queen, "We Are the Champions," 1977) - This clearly implies reaching the "top" of competition.
"On top of the world." (Common idiom for feeling extremely happy or successful)
"He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past." (George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four, 1949) - This refers to control at the "top" level.
"To the victor belong the spoils." (Often attributed to William L. Marcy, 1832) - The victor is at the "top."
"My old car is still running great, it's just getting a little long in the tooth." (Lesser-known, but common observation) - This refers to being past one's "top" performance.
"The cream always rises to the top." (Proverb, widely known)
"Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's relativity." (Albert Einstein) - This speaks to the "top" perception of time.
Etymology
The word "top" has a very old and fundamental origin in the English language.
It comes from the Old English word topp.
This Old English word already meant "the highest point or part," "summit," or "tuft of hair" (at the top of the head).
Topp itself traces back to Proto-Germanic (toppaz), which also meant "summit" or "tuft."
The first known use of "top" in English, with its core meaning of "the highest point or upper part of something," dates back to before the 9th century (Old English period).
Over centuries, the word has expanded to include many related meanings: the "top" of a class (highest rank), a "top" (garment), a "spinning top" (toy), and "to top something" (to exceed or cover). All these senses are derived from that original concept of being at the highest or uppermost position.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Top
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "top":
On top of the world: Feeling extremely happy or triumphant.
Off the top of one's head: Said without careful thought or preparation; spontaneously.
To be on top of (something): To be in control of a situation; to be up to date with information.
To take the top off (something): To remove the lid or upper part; (informal) to remove the best part or essence.
To top it all off: To add a final (often surprising or negative) element to a series of events.
Top-notch: Excellent; of the highest quality.
From the ground up: From the very beginning; from scratch. (Antonymous in concept to starting from the "top")
To go over the top: To be excessive or extreme.
To be at the top of one's game: To be performing at one's peak ability.
Top secret: Highly confidential information.
Top dog: The most important or dominant person in a group or situation.
To top the charts: To reach the highest position on a music or sales ranking.
To come out on top: To win or succeed in a competition or struggle. (Synonymous with "to prevail")
To hit the nail on the head: To say or do something exactly right. (Metaphorically, hitting the "top" of the nail accurately)
Top brass: (Informal) High-ranking officials, especially in the military or government.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of top from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
