Top vs. Above — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Top and Above
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Compare with Definitions
Top
The highest or uppermost point, part, or surface of something
Doreen stood at the top of the stairs
Fill the cup almost to the top
The springy turf of the clifftop
Above
In extended space over and not touching
A cable runs above the duct
A display of fireworks above the town
Top
A lid, cover, or cap
He removed the top from his ballpoint
Beer bottle tops
Above
At a higher level or layer than
From his flat above the corner shop
Bruises above both eyes
Top
The highest or most important rank, level, or position
The people at the top must be competent
Her talent will take her right to the top
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Above
Higher than (a specified amount, rate, or norm)
The food was well above average
Above sea level
Top
A garment covering the upper part of the body and worn with a skirt, trousers, or shorts
She bought a couple of new tops
He was wearing a hooded top
Above
At a higher level or layer
Place a quantity of mud in a jar with water above
Top
The end of something that is furthest from the speaker or a point of reference
The bus shelter at the top of the road
Above
On high; overhead
The clouds above.
Top
Short for topspin
Above
In heaven; heavenward.
Top
A bundle of long wool fibres prepared for spinning.
Above
Upstairs
A table in the dining room above.
Top
One of six flavours of quark.
Above
To a degree that is over zero
15° above.
Top
A man who takes the active role in anal intercourse with another man.
Above
In or to a higher place.
Top
A conical, spherical, or pear-shaped toy that with a quick or vigorous twist may be set to spin.
Above
In an earlier part of a given text
"Unlike the species discussed above, bees, ants, and wasps don't make males and females using combinations of special sex chromosomes" (Marlene Zuk).
Top
Used in names of top shells, e.g. strawberry top.
Above
In or to a higher rank or position
The ranks of major and above.
Top
Highest in position, rank, or degree
The top button of his shirt
A top executive
Above
Over or higher than
A cool spring above the timberline.
Top
Furthest away from the speaker or a point of reference
The top end of Fulham Road
Above
Superior to in rank, position, or number; greater than
Put principles above expediency.
Top
Exceed (an amount, level, or number); be more than
Losses are expected to top £100 m this year
Above
Beyond the level or reach of
A shot that was heard above the music.
Top
Provide with a top or topping
Toast topped with baked beans
Above
In preference to
Chose quality above quantity.
Top
Reach the top of (a hill or other elevation)
They topped a rise and began a slow descent
Above
Too honorable or proud to undertake
I am not above trying to bribe you. Do you think you are above bagging your own groceries?.
Top
Kill
I wasn't sorry when he topped himself
Above
More than
Somewhat above normal temperature.
Top
Mishit (the ball or a stroke) by hitting above the centre of the ball
He topped his drive on the fifth hole
Sliced and topped shots
Above
Upstream of
A dam positioned ten miles above the town.
Top
At the most
Some civil servant earning twenty-eight thousand a year, tops
Above
North of
Minnesota is above Iowa.
Top
The uppermost part, point, surface, or end
Wrote on the top of the box.
Above
An earlier part of a given text
Refer to the above for that information.
Top
The part farthest from a given reference point
Took a jump shot from the top of the key.
Above
The person or persons already referred to in a text
The above hereby affix their signatures.
Top
The crown of the head
From top to toe.
Above
Appearing earlier in the same text
Flaws in the above interpretation.
Top
The part of a plant, such as a rutabaga, that is above the ground.
Above
Physically over; on top of; worn on top of, said of clothing.
He always put his coat on above his sweater.
Top
Something, such as a lid or cap, that covers or forms an uppermost part.
Above
In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface.
Top
A garment worn on the upper half of the body.
Above
Farther north than.
Idaho is above Utah.
Top
(Nautical) A platform enclosing the head of the lower section of a mast of a square-rigged vessel, to which the topmast shrouds are attached.
Above
Rising; appearing out of reach height-wise.
Top
The highest degree, pitch, or point; the peak, acme, or zenith
"It had come at a time when he was not feeling at the top of his form" (Anthony Powell).
Above
(figuratively) Higher than; superior to in any respect; surpassing; higher in measure, degree, volume, or pitch, etc. than; out of reach; not exposed to; not likely to be affected by; incapable of negative actions or thoughts.
Even the chief of police is not above suspicion.
He was always above reproach.
I thought you said you were above these kinds of antics.
That's above my comprehension.
To cut above average
Top
The highest position or rank
At the top of his profession.
Above
Higher in rank, status, or position.
To stand head and shoulders above the rest
Top
A person in this position.
Above
(Scotland) In addition to; besides.
Above and beyond the call of duty
Over and above
Top
(Games) The highest card or cards in a suit or hand.
Above
Surpassing in number or quantity; more than.
That amount is way above our asking price.
Top
The best part.
Above
In preference to.
Top
The earliest part or beginning
She played the piece again, from the top.
Above
Too proud to stoop to; averse to; disinclined towards;
The owner was above taking more than a token salary.
Top
(Baseball) The first half of an inning.
Above
Beyond; on the other side.
Top
A stroke that lands above the center of a ball, as in golf or tennis, giving it a forward spin.
Above
(theater) Upstage of.
Top
A forward spin on a ball resulting from such a stroke.
Above
Directly overhead; vertically on top of.
Top
(Slang) One who penetrates the other person or is the dominant partner in a sexual encounter or relationship.
Above
Higher in the same page; earlier in the order as far as writing products go.
Top
A toy having one end tapered to a point, allowing it to be spun, as by suddenly pulling a string wound around it.
Above
Into or from heaven; in the sky.
He's in a better place now, floating free as the clouds above.
Top
Situated at the top
The top shelf.
Above
In a higher place; upstairs; farther upstream.
Top
Of the highest degree, quality, rank, or amount
In top form.
The top ten bestsellers.
Above
Higher in rank, power, or position.
He appealed to the court above.
Top
In a position of preeminence
The top historian in her department.
Above
(archaic) In addition.
Top
To form, furnish with, or serve as a top
Topped the ice cream with jimmies.
Above
More in number.
Top
To reach or go over the top of
The car topped the hill.
Above
Above zero; above freezing.
It was a cold day at only 5 above.
Top
To exceed or surpass
The car's speed topped 80 miles an hour. Her performance really topped his.
Above
(biology) On the upper half or the dorsal surface of an animal.
The sparrow I saw was rufous above and off-white below.
Top
To be at the head of
She topped her class.
Above
Of heaven; heavenly.
Top
To remove the top or uppermost part from; crop
Topped the fruit trees.
Above
(by ellipsis) Being located higher on the same page or on a preceding page.
Top
To strike the upper part of (a ball), giving it forward spin.
Above
Heaven.
Top
To make (a stroke) in this way.
Above
Something, especially a person's name in legal documents, that appears higher on the same page or on a preceding page.
Top
To make a finish, an end, or a conclusion.
Above
Higher authority.
Top
The highest or uppermost part of something.
His kite got caught at the top of the tree.
Above
(archaic) betterment, raised status or condition.
Top
(irrespective of present orientation) the part of something that is usually the top.
We flipped the machine onto its top.
Above
In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface; over; - opposed to below or beneath.
Fowl that may fly above the earth.
Top
The uppermost part of a page, picture, viewing screen, etc.
Further weather information can be found at the top of your television screen.
Headings appear at the tops of pages.
Above
Figuratively, higher than; superior to in any respect; surpassing; beyond; higher in measure or degree than; as, things above comprehension; above mean actions; conduct above reproach.
I saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun.
Top
A lid, cap or cover of a container.
Put a top on the toothpaste tube or it will go bad.
Above
In a higher place; overhead; into or from heaven; as, the clouds above.
Top
A garment worn to cover the torso.
I bought this top as it matches my jeans.
I like this pyjama top.
Above
Earlier in order; higher in the same page; hence, in a foregoing page.
Top
A framework at the top of a ship's mast to which rigging is attached.
Above
Higher in rank or power; as, he appealed to the court above.
Top
(baseball) The first half of an inning, during which the home team fields and the visiting team bats.
Above
More than; as, above five hundred were present.
Top
(archaic) The crown of the head, or the hair upon it; the head.
Above
Appearing earlier in the same text;
Flaws in the above interpretation
Top
The near end of somewhere
The patio is at the top of my garden.
The shop is at the top of my street.
Above
At an earlier place;
See above
Top
A child’s spinning toy; a spinning top.
The boy was amazed at how long the top would spin.
Above
In or to a place that is higher
Top
(heading) Someone who is eminent.
Top
(archaic) The chief person; the most prominent one.
Top
The highest rank; the most honourable position; the utmost attainable place.
To be at the top of one's class, or at the top of the school
Top
(BDSM) A dominant partner in a BDSM relationship or roleplay.
Top
(gay slang) A man penetrating or with a preference for penetrating during homosexual intercourse.
I prefer being a top, and my boyfriend prefers being a bottom.
Top
Oral stimulation of the male member, a blowjob.
Top
(particle physics) A top quark.
Top
The utmost degree; the acme; the summit.
Top
(ropemaking) A plug, or conical block of wood, with longitudinal grooves on its surface, in which the strands of the rope slide in the process of twisting.
Top
(sound) Highest pitch or loudest volume.
She sang at the top of her voice.
Top
(wool manufacture) A bundle or ball of slivers of combed wool, from which the noils, or dust, have been taken out.
Top
(obsolete, except in one sense of phrase on top of) Eve; verge; point.
Top
The part of a cut gem between the girdle, or circumference, and the table, or flat upper surface.
Top
Topboots.
Top
A stroke on the top of the ball.
Top
A forward spin given to the ball by hitting it on or near the top; topspin
Top
(A table at which there is, or which has enough seats for) a group of a specified number of people eating at a restaurant.
Top
To cover on the top or with a top.
I like my ice cream topped with chocolate sauce.
Top
To excel, to surpass, to beat, to exceed.
Titanic was the most successful film ever until it was topped by another Cameron film, Avatar.
Top
To be in the lead, to be at number one position (of).
Celine Dion topped the UK music charts twice in the 1990s.
Top
To cut or remove the top (as of a tree)
I don't want to be bald, so just top my hair.
Top and tail the carrots.
Top
To commit suicide.
Depression causes many people to top themselves.
Top
To murder.
Top
(BDSM) To be the dominant partner in a BDSM relationship or roleplay.
I used to be a slave, but I ended up topping.
Giving advice to the dominant partner on how to run the BDSM session is called "topping from the bottom".
Top
To anally penetrate in gay sex.
Top
(archaic) To rise aloft; to be eminent; to tower.
Topping passions
Top
(archaic) To excel; to rise above others.
Top
(nautical) To raise one end of (a yard, etc.), making it higher than the other.
Top
(dyeing) To cover with another dye.
To top aniline black with methyl violet to prevent greening
Top
To put a stiffening piece or back on (a saw blade).
Top
To arrange (fruit, etc.) with the best on top.
Top
(of a horse) To strike the top of (an obstacle) with the hind feet while jumping, so as to gain new impetus.
Top
To improve (domestic animals, especially sheep) by crossing certain individuals or breeds with other superior breeds.
Top
To cut, break, or otherwise take off the top of (a steel ingot) to remove unsound metal.
Top
(golf) To strike (the ball) above the centre; also, to make (a stroke, etc.) by hitting the ball in this way.
Top
Situated on the top of something.
Top
(informal) Best; of the highest quality or rank.
She's in the top dance school.
Top
(informal) Very good, of high quality, power, or rank.
He's a top lawyer.
That is a top car.
Top
Rated first.
She came top in her French exam.
Top
A child's toy, commonly in the form of a conoid or pear, made to spin on its point, usually by drawing off a string wound round its surface or stem, the motion being sometimes continued by means of a whip.
Top
A plug, or conical block of wood, with longitudital grooves on its surface, in which the strands of the rope slide in the process of twisting.
Top
The highest part of anything; the upper end, edge, or extremity; the upper side or surface; summit; apex; vertex; cover; lid; as, the top of a spire; the top of a house; the top of a mountain; the top of the ground.
The star that bids the shepherd fold,Now the top of heaven doth hold.
Top
The utmost degree; the acme; the summit.
The top of my ambition is to contribute to that work.
Top
The highest rank; the most honorable position; the utmost attainable place; as, to be at the top of one's class, or at the top of the school.
And wears upon his baby brow the roundAnd top of sovereignty.
Top
The chief person; the most prominent one.
Other . . . aspired to be the top of zealots.
Top
The crown of the head, or the hair upon it; the head.
All the stored vengeance of Heaven fallOn her ungrateful top !
Top
The head, or upper part, of a plant.
The buds . . . are called heads, or tops, as cabbageheads.
Top
A platform surrounding the head of the lower mast and projecting on all sudes. It serves to spead the topmast rigging, thus strengheningthe mast, and also furnishes a convenient standing place for the men aloft.
Top
A bundle or ball of slivers of comkbed wool, from which the noils, or dust, have been taken out.
Top
Eve; verge; point.
Top
The part of a cut gem between the girdle, or circumference, and the table, or flat upper surface.
Top
Top-boots.
Top
A stroke on the top of the ball.
Top
To rise aloft; to be eminent; to tower; as, lofty ridges and topping mountains.
Top
To predominate; as, topping passions.
Top
To excel; to rise above others.
But write thy, and top.
Top
To strike a ball above the center.
Top
To rise at one end, as a yard; - usually with up.
Top
To cover on the top; to tip; to cap; - chiefly used in the past participle.
Like moving mountains topped with snow.
A mountOf alabaster, topped with golden spires.
Top
To rise above; to excel; to outgo; to surpass.
Topping all others in boasting.
Edmund the base shall top the legitimate.
Top
To rise to the top of; to go over the top of.
But wind about till thou hast topped the hill.
Top
To take off the or upper part of; to crop.
Top your rose trees a little with your knife.
Top
To perform eminently, or better than before.
From endeavoring universally to top their parts, they will go universally beyond them.
Top
To raise one end of, as a yard, so that that end becomes higher than the other.
Top
To cover with another dye; as, to top aniline black with methyl violet to prevent greening and crocking.
Top
To put a stiffening piece or back on (a saw blade).
Top
To arrange, as fruit, with the best on top.
Top
To strike the top of, as a wall, with the hind feet, in jumping, so as to gain new impetus; - said of a horse.
Top
To improve (domestic animals, esp. sheep) by crossing certain individuals or breeds with other superior.
Top
To raise one end of, as a yard, so that that end becomes higher than the other.
Top
To cut, break, or otherwise take off the top of (a steel ingot) to remove unsound metal.
Top
To strike (the ball) above the center; also, to make (as a stroke) by hitting the ball in this way.
Top
The upper part of anything;
The mower cuts off the tops of the grass
The title should be written at the top of the first page
Top
The highest or uppermost side of anything;
Put your books on top of the desk
Only the top side of the box was painted
Top
The top point of a mountain or hill;
The view from the peak was magnificent
They clambered to the summit of Monadnock
Top
The first half of an inning; while the visiting team is at bat;
A relief pitcher took over in the top of the fifth
Top
The highest level or degree attainable;
His landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty
The artist's gifts are at their acme
At the height of her career
The peak of perfection
Summer was at its peak
...catapulted Einstein to the pinnacle of fame
The summit of his ambition
So many highest superlatives achieved by man
At the top of his profession
Top
The greatest possible intensity;
He screamed at the top of his lungs
Top
Platform surrounding the head of a lower mast
Top
A conical child's plaything tapering to a steel point on which it can be made to spin;
He got a bright red top and string for his birthday
Top
Covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container);
He removed the top of the carton
He couldn't get the top off of the bottle
Put the cover back on the kettle
Top
A garment (especially for women) that extends from the shoulders to the waist or hips;
He stared as she buttoned her top
Top
A canvas tent to house the audience at a circus performance;
He was afraid of a fire in the circus tent
They had the big top up in less than an hour
Top
Go beyond;
She exceeded our expectations
She topped her performance of last year
Top
Pass by, over, or under without making contact;
The balloon cleared the tree tops
Top
Be at the top of or constitute the top or highest point;
A star tops the Christmas Tree
Top
Be ahead of others; be the first;
She topped her class every year
Top
Provide with a top;
The towers were topped with conical roofs
Top
Reach or ascend the top of;
The hikers topped the mountain just before noon
Top
Strike (the top part of a ball in golf, baseball, or pool) giving it a forward spin
Top
Cut the top off;
Top trees and bushes
Top
Be the culminating event;
The speech crowned the meeting
Top
Finish up or conclude;
They topped off their dinner with a cognac
Top the evening with champagne
Top
Situated at the top or highest position;
The top shelf
Side fences
The side porch
Top
Not to be surpassed;
His top effort
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