What does top mean?
Top has a remarkably broad range of related meanings built around the idea of what is highest. As a noun, it can refer to the upper surface of an object, a summit, the leading position in a hierarchy, a cap or lid, a spinning toy, or, informally, cannabis. As a verb, it means to put a top on something, reach the leading position, or surpass others. As an adjective, top describes what is highest in rank, quality, price, or importance; as an adverb, it indicates that something is performed or placed at the maximum level. The word is useful because it turns the spatial idea of an uppermost point into a metaphor for status and excellence. It appears constantly in expressions about leadership, competition, priority, condition, and limits, while retaining both formal and informal uses.
The highest or uppermost part of something; the highest position or rank; a cap or covering; or a spinning toy. Informal usage also includes cannabis.
"The top of the mountain was covered in snow."
To reach the highest position, surpass others, or put a top or covering on something.
"The team topped the table at the end of the season."
Highest in rank, quality, position, price, or importance.
"They chose a top-quality camera for the expedition."
At the highest level or in the leading position.
"She finished top in the final race."
The regular plural is used for multiple upper parts, leading people or things, caps, and spinning toys.
"The climbers reached the tops of several distant peaks."
From the summit of a mountain to the top of a leaderboard, one everyday word turns vertical position, status, and excellence into a single idea.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does top come from?
The word comes through Middle English from Old English topp, originally referring to the top of the head or a tuft of hair. Its later senses developed from that physical sense into meanings involving a summit, upper limit, and highest position. Its deeper roots are generally connected with an Indo-European word meaning a place or spot, which also underlies words such as topography and toponym.
Related word forms
How top is actually used
In informal British and American English, top can mean excellent or first-rate, as in a top performance. The noun meaning cannabis is chiefly associated with British and other informal usage, while the word's geographical senses—highest point, summit, and leading position—are common in formal and informal contexts. In phrases such as top gear and top secret, top conveys the highest grade, status, or degree.
Easily confused with top
A tip is a narrow or pointed end, whereas a top is the highest part or position of something.