# topping

/ˈtɑpɪŋ/ (US) · /tˈɒpɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/topping
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. food added on top

noun · CEFR B1

a small amount of food put on top of something else to add flavour or decoration.

For teachers: a food item or substance placed atop another dish to enhance flavour, texture, or visual appeal.

- What is your favourite pizza topping, pepperoni or mushrooms?
- The chef recommended a simple balsamic glaze as a topping to complement the richness of the roasted vegetables.

Usage: Commonly used as a countable noun for specific items or uncountable for substances like whipped cream.

### 2. cutting the top off

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the act of removing the top part of a plant or object.

For teachers: the process or act of removing the upper portion of something, particularly in agriculture or forestry.

- Topping the trees every few years helps keep them at a safe height.
- The agricultural manual explains that the topping of tobacco plants is essential for redirecting energy to the leaves.

### 3. nautical cables

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

special ropes or cables used on a boat to support a wooden pole called a boom.

For teachers: cables or lifts used to support the ends of a spar or boom on a sailing vessel.

- The crew checked the topping lift to ensure the boom was secure.
- Adjusting the topping lift allowed the sailors to raise the boom and clear the deck for the incoming cargo.

Usage: Usually appears in the compound phrase 'topping lift'.

### 4. wonderful

adjective · CEFR C2 · British English · Informal · Archaic

an old-fashioned way to say something is excellent or very good.

For teachers: an informal, dated British term expressing high approval or excellence.

- We had a topping time at the garden party last weekend.
- In the vintage novel, the protagonist describes his weekend in the country as a topping adventure.

Teaching tip: This sense is highly dated; modern learners should recognise it in literature but avoid using it in contemporary conversation.

## Examples

- I like extra cheese as a topping.
- The menu lets you choose your own toppings for the salad.
- The chef arranged the fresh herbs and edible flowers as an artistic topping on the dessert.

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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.