# topped

/ˈtɑpt/ (US) · /tˈɒpt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/topped
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to reach the highest point

verb · CEFR B2

to reach the highest part of something or to be at the top of a list.

For teachers: to reach the summit of a physical structure or to occupy the highest position in a ranking or hierarchy.

- The young singer's new album topped the charts for three weeks in a row.
- The climbers finally topped the ridge just as the sun began to set, providing them with a panoramic view of the valley below.

Usage: Often used in the context of statistics, charts, or physical heights.

### 2. to add a layer

verb · CEFR B1

to put something on the top of something else, usually to finish it.

For teachers: to provide with a top or to cover the upper surface with a specific substance or item.

- The chef topped the pasta with fresh herbs and a little bit of cheese.
- The dessert was topped with a delicate spun-sugar cage, demonstrating the pastry chef's technical proficiency and attention to detail.

Usage: Frequently used in culinary contexts with the preposition 'with'.

### 3. having a top layer

adjective · CEFR B2

having a specific thing on the top part.

For teachers: characterised by having a particular upper layer or covering.

- The snow-topped mountains looked beautiful in the distance.
- The silver-topped walking stick was a family heirloom passed down through four generations of the Smith family.

Usage: Often appears in compound adjectives like 'snow-topped' or 'silver-topped'.

## Examples

- The movie topped the charts for three weeks.
- The company's annual revenue topped ten million dollars for the first time in its history last year.
- After a decade of steady growth, the city's population finally topped the one-million mark, triggering a mandatory review of the existing public transportation infrastructure.

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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.