INDEX:
1. the top part of something
2. at the top of something
3. when something is nearest the top
RELATED WORDS
opposite
↑ BOTTOM
on top of : ↑ ON/ON TOP OF
the best : ↑ BEST
see also
↑ UP
↑ HIGH
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1. the top part of something
▷ top /tɒpǁtɑːp/ [countable noun]
the top or highest part of something :
▪ When you paint, you should start at the top and work your way down.
top of
▪ The top of the mountain is covered with snow.
▪ The tops of the trees swayed in the breeze.
▪ There’s a wonderful view from the top of the tower.
tree-top/roof-top/hill-top etc
▪ I looked out over the roof-tops towards the mountains beyond.
▷ summit /ˈsʌmɪt, ˈsʌmət/ [countable noun]
the top of a mountain :
▪ It took the climbers four hours to reach the summit.
summit of
▪ In the distance we could see the snow-covered summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
▪ We took a small train to the summit of Pike’s Peak.
▷ crest /krest/ [countable noun] especially written
the top of a hill or wave :
▪ There’s a trail up there that follows the length of the crest.
crest of
▪ When I reached the crest of the hill, I turned to look back.
▪ In the distance we could see a small boat riding the crests of the waves.
2. at the top of something
▷ on top /ɒn ˈtɒpǁ-ˈtɑːp/ [adverb]
on the top surface or highest point of something :
▪ She brought me an enormous dish of ice cream with a bright red cherry on top.
on top of
▪ The church stood on top of a hill.
▪ On top of the cupboard was an old trunk, covered in dust.
▷ at the top /ət ðə ˈtɒpǁ-ˈtɑːp/ [adverb]
on or near the top of something :
▪ The vase has a small crack at the top.
at the top of
▪ He was waiting for me at the top of the stairs.
▪ Don’t forget to write your name at the top of the test before you turn it in.
3. when something is nearest the top
▷ top /tɒpǁtɑːp/ [adjective only before noun]
▪ The books are on the top shelf.
▪ Put the papers in the top drawer of the filing cabinet.
▪ We moved into an apartment on the top floor of the building.
▷ upper /ˈʌpəʳ/ [adjective only before noun]
at the top above the lower part of something :
▪ Several of her upper teeth were missing.
▪ He already had a light growth of hair on his upper lip.
▪ Most meteorites do not make it through Earth’s upper atmosphere.
▷ topmost/uppermost /ˈtɒpməʊstǁˈtɑːp-, ˈʌpəʳməʊst/ [adjective only before noun] formal
the topmost or uppermost part of something is the highest of all its parts, right at the top :
▪ Human bones were found in the uppermost level of rock.
▪ Janey went to the back of the house, sat on the topmost step, and wept.