English Reference
adjective · adverb

topless

adj. · adv.
US /ˈtɑpɫəs/ UK /tˈɒpləs/ top·less

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.not wearing any clothes on the top half of the body.

    adj.naked from the waist up; lacking a garment to cover the chest or torso.

    Simple

    Some people prefer sunbathing topless to avoid tan lines on their shoulders.

    In context

    The resort designated a specific area of the private beach where guests were permitted to sunbathe topless if they chose.

    bare chestedhalf naked
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.describing a place, like a bar or club, where the workers do not wear clothes on their top half.

    adj.denoting a commercial establishment, such as a bar or restaurant, where employees or performers are unclothed from the waist up.

    Simple

    The city has strict rules about where topless bars can be located.

    In context

    The zoning board debated whether the license for the topless club should be renewed given its proximity to the residential district.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency LiteraryArchaic

    adj.so high that you cannot see the top.

    adj.reaching a height that appears limitless; towering or immeasurably tall.

    Simple

    The poet wrote about the topless towers of the ancient city.

    In context

    Marlowe famously alluded to the 'topless towers of Ilium,' using the adjective to evoke a sense of architectural grandeur that defied human scale.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adv.without wearing a shirt or top.

    adv.in a state of being unclothed from the waist up.

    Simple

    He spent the whole afternoon swimming topless in the pool.

    In context

    The hikers decided to walk topless for the final mile of the trail to cool down in the summer heat.

    bare chested

From top + -less.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated