Top | Mean of top in English Dictionary

/ˈtɑːp/

• Noun
• the highest part, point, or level of something
1. The tops of the walls are painted and the bottoms are covered in wood paneling.
2. He was calling down from the top of the stairs.
3. Please write your name on the top of the page.
4. She climbed to the top of the mountain.
5. She had a scratch on the top of her foot.
6. He filled the glass to the top.
• an upper surface or edge of something
1. a table with a glass top
• something that covers the upper part or opening of something
1. I'm looking for a pen with a red top. [=cap]
2. She took the top [=lid] off the jar.
3. The box's top had been removed.
4. I hate it when you leave the top off the toothpaste!

• the highest position in rank, success, or importance
1. He is at the top of his profession.
2. The company's new CEO started at the bottom and worked her way to the top.
3. employees at the top of the pay scale
4. The team is at the top of the league.
5. He graduated at the top of his/the class. [=his grades were among the highest in his class]
6. The order came straight from the top. [=from the person with the most authority or power]
7. Studying for the test is on the top of my list. [=it is the first and most important thing that I need to do]
• a piece of clothing that is worn on the upper part of your body
1. She was wearing a blue silk top and black pants.
2. a bikini top
• the beginning
1. We'll have another news update for you at the top of the hour. [=at the start of the next hour]
2. Let's rehearse the scene from the top.
3. OK, everybody. Let's take it from the top. [=start from the beginning of a scene, song, etc.]
• the first half of an inning in baseball
1. the top of the sixth inning
• the part of something (such as a street) that is farthest away
1. Try the shop at the top of the road.
• the highest gear of a vehicle
1. She shifted into top once she got on the highway.
• in the loudest way possible
1. She sang at the top of her voice.
2. They were shouting at the top of their lungs.
• to win a competition, argument, etc.
1. He's confident that he'll come out on top when all the votes have been counted.
• in a very thorough way
1. We cleaned/searched the house from top to bottom.
• from your head to your feet
1. They were covered from top to toe [=(more commonly) from head to toe] in mud.
• immediately by thinking quickly about something
1. Off the top of my head, I can think of three people who might be interested.
2. I can't remember her name off the top of my head.
• on the highest part or surface of something
1. He gave us vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce on top.
2. We finished decorating our Christmas tree by putting a star on top.
3. She picked the card on top.
• winning a game or competition
1. The team was on top [=in front, ahead] after the first half.
• on the highest or upper part of (something or someone)
1. The house sits on top of a hill.
2. Put the card back on top of the deck.
3. Books and papers were piled on top of each other.
4. I fell to the ground and the dog jumped on top of me.
• in control of (something)
1. You can count on them to be on top of things when problems develop.
2. “Can you get this done by next week?” “Don't worry. I'm on top of it.”
3. She's not on top of her game this morning. [=she is not performing well this morning]
• aware of what is happening in (a particular area of activity)
1. She tries to keep/stay on top of current events.
• very close to or near (someone or something)
1. The deadline was on top of them before they knew it.
2. The houses are built right on top of each other.
• in addition to (something)
1. You owe me $20, and that's on top of the $40 you owe me from earlier.
2. On top of everything else, he lost his job.
• in a very successful or happy state
1. I had just gotten married and felt like I was on top of the world.
• beyond what is expected, usual, normal, or appropriate
1. His performances are always over the top. [=(Brit) OTT]
• the most powerful or most successful position in a profession, organization, etc.
1. She is still (at/on the) top of the tree in her field. [=she's still at the top in her field]
• located at the highest part or position
1. the top drawer/shelf
2. They live on the top floor of the building.
3. That's my husband in the top [=upper] right-hand corner of the picture.
• highest in rank, success, or importance
1. the top news story of the day
2. the country's top three car manufacturers
3. He is among the top pitchers of the league.
4. She is the top student in her class. = (chiefly Brit) She is top in her class.
5. Safety is our top concern/priority.
• highest in quality, amount, or degree
1. The winner showed top form.
2. Houses are selling at top prices.
3. What is the car's top speed?
• a child's toy that can be made to spin very quickly
1. spinning like a top
• Verb
• to be or become more than (a particular amount)
1. Album sales have already topped [=exceeded] 500,000.
2. Donations are expected to top $1,000,000 by the end of the month.
• to be in the highest position on (a list) because of success
1. The song has topped the charts for seven weeks.
2. Who tops the list this year for Hollywood's highest-paid actor? [=who is the highest-paid actor in Hollywood this year?]
• to do or be better than (someone or something)
1. He topped [=surpassed] his previous record.
2. They topped the other company's offer.
3. She tops everyone else on the team.
4. Being at the beach sure tops [=beats] working in the office.
5. I've seen some pretty weird things in my life—but that tops everything!
• to cover or form the top of (something)
1. A fresh layer of snow topped the mountains.
2. She topped the pizza with cheese and mushrooms.
3. a cup of hot chocolate topped (off) with whip cream
4. The cathedral was topped (off/out) with a spire.
• to cut off the top of (something)
1. He topped the tree/carrots.
• to reach the top of (something)
1. When we topped the hill, we saw a small village in the valley.
• to end (something) usually in an exciting or impressive way
1. We topped off dinner with dessert and coffee.
2. The band topped off the show with an extended version of their classic hit.
3. The victory tops off the coach's extremely successful career.
• to fill (something) completely with a liquid
1. I added a little more coffee to top off the mug.
2. He stopped at the gas station to top off [=(Brit) top up] the car's tank. [=to fill the car's tank with gas]
• to reach the highest amount or level and stop increasing
1. Interest rates are expected to top out at 15 percent.
• to bring (something) to the full or desired amount
1. The store keeps its fruits and vegetables topped up.
2. She works part-time to top up her income.
• to kill yourself