# top /ˈtɑp/ (US) · /tˈɒp/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/top Updated: 2026-06-19 ## Senses ### 1. highest part noun · CEFR A2 the highest part or surface of something. For teachers: the uppermost part, surface, or end of an object or structure. - There was still some white snow on the top of the mountain. - The climbers finally reached the top of the ridge just as the sun began to set behind the distant peaks. ### 2. clothing noun · CEFR A2 a piece of clothing that you wear on the upper part of your body. For teachers: a garment worn on the upper body, such as a shirt, sweater, or blouse. - She wore a blue top with her black jeans to the party. - The dress code was casual, so most employees arrived wearing simple cotton tops and comfortable trousers. Usage: Often used as a general term when the specific type of garment is unknown or unimportant. ### 3. spinning toy noun · CEFR B1 a toy that stays balanced while it spins around very fast. For teachers: a conical or pear-shaped toy designed to spin rapidly on a pointed tip. - The child watched the colorful top spin across the wooden floor. - The antique collection included several hand-painted wooden tops that still balanced perfectly when spun. ### 4. lid or cap noun · CEFR B1 a lid or a cap that covers a container. For teachers: a lid, cap, or cover for a container such as a bottle or jar. - Don't forget to put the top back on the milk bottle. - The child struggled to unscrew the top of the jam jar because it was stuck tight with dried sugar. ### 5. to be higher than verb · CEFR B2 to be taller than something or to be at the highest point of it. For teachers: to exceed in height or to reach the summit of something. - The new skyscraper will top all the other buildings in the city. - The cathedral spire tops the surrounding landscape, serving as a landmark for miles in every direction. Usage: Often used in the passive voice to describe geographical features. ### 6. to exceed or beat verb · CEFR B1 to do better than a previous score, amount, or person. For teachers: to surpass or excel a previous record, limit, or competitor. - The movie topped the charts for three weeks in a row. - The company hopes to top last year's sales figures by expanding into the European market this autumn. ### 7. to add a layer verb · CEFR B1 to put something on the upper surface of something else, usually food. For teachers: to provide with a top or to put something on the top of. - He topped the cake with fresh strawberries and cream. - The chef topped the pasta with a generous grating of aged parmesan before serving it to the guests. Usage: Commonly used with the preposition 'with'. ### 8. highest rank adjective · CEFR A2 the best, most important, or most successful. For teachers: of the highest quality, rank, or importance. - She is one of the top students in her medical class. - The agency only hires top experts in the field of cybersecurity to handle their most sensitive cases. Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies. ### 9. highest position adjective · CEFR A2 located at the very highest part of something. For teachers: situated at the uppermost part or level. - The books you need are on the top shelf of the bookcase. - Residents on the top floor of the apartment complex enjoy a panoramic view of the city skyline. ### 10. to kill oneself verb · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal · Slang to end your own life. For teachers: to commit suicide. - He was so depressed that his friends worried he might top himself. - The character in the play threatens to top himself after losing his entire fortune in a single night. Usage: Usually used reflexively as 'top oneself'. Teaching tip: This is a very sensitive and informal term; learners should use it with extreme caution or avoid it in favor of 'commit suicide'. ### 11. sexual role noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang the person who takes the active or dominant role during sex. For teachers: the partner who takes the dominant or penetrating role in sexual activity. - They discussed their preferences and he mentioned he preferred being the top. - In many modern discussions of relationship dynamics, individuals may identify as a top, bottom, or switch. Teaching tip: This is common in LGBTQ+ contexts and BDSM communities; it is informal but not necessarily vulgar depending on context, can be quite direct. ### 12. oral sex noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Vulgar a slang word for oral sex. For teachers: a slang term for fellatio. - He was bragging to his friends about getting top last night. - The lyrics of the song contained several slang references to giving and receiving top. Usage: Uncountable in this sense. Teaching tip: This is highly informal and potentially offensive; learners should be aware of it to understand media but avoid using it in most social situations. ## Examples - The top of the mountain is covered in snow. - She reached the top of the stairs, out of breath from the long climb. - From the top of the skyscraper, the city looked like a miniature model, with tiny cars crawling along its grid of streets. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.