atop

prep. · adv.

US //əˈtɑp// UK //ɐtˈɒp// atop

1 on top of (prep.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

on the very top of something.

positioned on the highest point or surface of an object. Functions as a preposition taking a noun phrase object.

Example

A small gold bird sat atop the wedding cake.

Example

The ancient fortress sat atop a jagged limestone cliff, overlooking the valley where the two rivers met.
- on
- upon
- over
- beneath
- underneath
2 at the top (adv.)
C1 Advanced Literary Archaic

at or to the top of something.

at, on, or to the highest part. Used as an adverbial modifier without a following noun phrase.

Example

The mountain was steep, but the view from atop was beautiful.

Example

The hikers climbed for hours until they finally stood atop, gazing at the clouds drifting below the summit.
- above
- overhead
- below

Origin

From a- (“on”) + top.

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