Top vs. Bottom — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
Top refers to the highest or uppermost point; bottom denotes the lowest or underside point.
Difference Between Top and Bottom
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "top" is often used to describe the highest point or uppermost layer of something. It's the apex or peak of a structure, hierarchy, or situation. Conversely, "bottom" refers to the lowest point or base of an object or concept. It's the foundation or the part that is at the lowest elevation. While the top is associated with being above or on the surface, the bottom is linked with being beneath or at the base.
In the context of clothing, "top" refers to garments worn on the upper part of the body, such as shirts or blouses. These items are designed to cover the torso and sometimes the arms. On the other hand, "bottom" in this context refers to clothing for the lower part of the body, like pants, skirts, or shorts. These garments are meant to cover the legs and hips.
When discussing performance or rankings, the term "top" is used to indicate superior status or higher quality. It signifies being at the forefront or leading in a particular field. In contrast, "bottom" in this context means being at the lowest rank or having the least favorable position. It often implies a need for improvement or a lesser status compared to others.
In terms of physical locations, "top" might refer to the summit of a mountain or the upper floor of a building. It's a position characterized by elevation and height. In contrast, "bottom" could refer to the valley between mountains or the ground floor of a structure. It denotes a position closer to the earth's surface or the base of an environment.
Comparison Chart
Physical Position
Highest or uppermost point
Lowest or underside point
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Clothing
Garments worn on the upper part of the body
Clothing for the lower part of the body
Performance/Rankings
Indicates superior status or higher quality
Lowest rank or least favorable position
Physical Locations
Summit of a mountain, upper floor of a building
Valley, ground floor of a structure
Hierarchical Connotation
Often associated with leadership or authority
Linked with foundational or supportive role
Compare with Definitions
Top
The highest point or part of something.
She reached the top of the mountain.
Bottom
The buttocks or rear end.
He fell and landed on his bottom.
Top
Of the highest quality or rank.
She was in the top class of her year.
Bottom
The lowest point or part of something
The bottom of the page
She paused at the bottom of the stairs
Top
A garment worn on the upper body.
He wore a colorful top to the party.
Bottom
A person's buttocks
He climbs the side of the gorge, scratching his bottom unselfconsciously
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
Bottom
One of six flavours of quark.
Top
A lid, cover, or cap
He removed the top from his ballpoint
Beer bottle tops
Bottom
Stamina or strength of character
Whatever his faults, he possesses that old-fashioned quality—bottom
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
Bottom
A man who takes the passive role in anal intercourse with another man.
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
Bottom
In the lowest position
The books on the bottom shelf
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
Bottom
(of a ship) reach or touch the ground under the sea
Nuclear submarines cannot bottom
Top
Short for topspin
Bottom
(of a situation) reach the lowest point before stabilizing or improving
Encouraging signs suggested the recession was bottoming out
Top
A bundle of long wool fibres prepared for spinning.
Bottom
The deepest or lowest part
The bottom of a well.
The bottom of the page.
Top
One of six flavours of quark.
Bottom
The part closest to a reference point
Was positioned at the bottom of the key for a rebound.
Top
A man who takes the active role in anal intercourse with another man.
Bottom
The underside
Scraped the bottom of the car on a rock.
Top
A conical, spherical, or pear-shaped toy that with a quick or vigorous twist may be set to spin.
Bottom
The supporting part; the base.
Top
Used in names of top shells, e.g. strawberry top.
Bottom
The far end or part
At the bottom of the bed.
Top
Highest in position, rank, or degree
The top button of his shirt
A top executive
Bottom
The last place, as on a list.
Top
Furthest away from the speaker or a point of reference
The top end of Fulham Road
Bottom
The lowest or least favorable position
Started at the bottom of the corporate hierarchy.
Top
Exceed (an amount, level, or number); be more than
Losses are expected to top £100 m this year
Bottom
The basic underlying quality; the source
Let's get to the bottom of the problem.
Top
Provide with a top or topping
Toast topped with baked beans
Bottom
The solid surface under a body of water.
Top
Reach the top of (a hill or other elevation)
They topped a rise and began a slow descent
Bottom
Often bottoms Low-lying alluvial land adjacent to a river. Also called bottomland.
Top
Kill
I wasn't sorry when he topped himself
Bottom
(Nautical) The part of a ship's hull below the water line.
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
Bottom
A ship; a boat
"English merchants did much of their overseas trade in foreign bottoms" (G.M. Trevelyan).
Top
At the most
Some civil servant earning twenty-eight thousand a year, tops
Bottom
Often bottoms The trousers or short pants of pajamas.
Top
The uppermost part, point, surface, or end
Wrote on the top of the box.
Bottom
(Informal) The buttocks.
Top
The part farthest from a given reference point
Took a jump shot from the top of the key.
Bottom
The seat of a chair.
Top
The crown of the head
From top to toe.
Bottom
(Baseball) The second or last half of an inning.
Top
The part of a plant, such as a rutabaga, that is above the ground.
Bottom
Staying power; stamina. Used of a horse.
Top
Something, such as a lid or cap, that covers or forms an uppermost part.
Bottom
Situated at the bottom
The bottom rung of the ladder.
Top
A garment worn on the upper half of the body.
Bottom
Of the lowest degree, quality, rank, or amount
The bottom three teams in the league.
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.
Bottom
To provide with an underside.
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).
Bottom
To provide with a foundation; base
Jurisprudence that is bottomed on democratic principles.
Top
The highest position or rank
At the top of his profession.
Bottom
To have or strike the underside against something
The car bottomed on the gravel.
Top
A person in this position.
Bottom
The lowest part of anything.
Footers appear at the bottoms of pages.
Top
(Games) The highest card or cards in a suit or hand.
Bottom
A garment worn to cover the body below the torso.
There's a hole in her pyjama bottoms.
Top
The best part.
Bottom
Spirits poured into a glass before adding soda water.
A soda and a bottom of brandy
Top
The earliest part or beginning
She played the piece again, from the top.
Bottom
The far end of somewhere.
There’s a fairy at the bottom of my garden.
I walked to the bottom of the street.
Top
(Baseball) The first half of an inning.
Bottom
Character, reliability, staying power, dignity, integrity or sound judgment.
Lack bottom
Top
A stroke that lands above the center of a ball, as in golf or tennis, giving it a forward spin.
Bottom
Power of endurance.
Top
A forward spin on a ball resulting from such a stroke.
Bottom
The base; the fundamental part; basic aspect.
Top
A toy having one end tapered to a point, allowing it to be spun, as by suddenly pulling a string wound around it.
Bottom
Low-lying land; a valley or hollow.
Where shall we go for a walk? How about Ashcombe Bottom?
Top
Situated at the top
The top shelf.
Bottom
(usually: bottoms or bottomland) Low-lying land near a river with alluvial soil.
Top
Of the highest degree, quality, rank, or amount
In top form.
The top ten bestsellers.
Bottom
(euphemism) The buttocks or anus.
Top
In a position of preeminence
The top historian in her department.
Bottom
The lowest part of a container.
Top
To form, furnish with, or serve as a top
Topped the ice cream with jimmies.
Bottom
The bed of a body of water, as of a river, lake, or sea.
Top
To reach or go over the top of
The car topped the hill.
Bottom
An abyss.
Top
To exceed or surpass
The car's speed topped 80 miles an hour. Her performance really topped his.
Bottom
(nautical) A cargo vessel, a ship.
Top
To be at the head of
She topped her class.
Bottom
(nautical) Certain parts of a vessel, particularly the cargo hold or the portion of the ship that is always underwater.
Top
To remove the top or uppermost part from; crop
Topped the fruit trees.
Bottom
(baseball) The second half of an inning, the home team's turn at bat.
Top
To strike the upper part of (a ball), giving it forward spin.
Bottom
(particle physics) bottom quark.
Top
To make (a stroke) in this way.
Bottom
A ball or skein of thread; a cocoon.
Top
To make a finish, an end, or a conclusion.
Bottom
(obsolete) Dregs or grounds; lees; sediment.
Top
The highest or uppermost part of something.
His kite got caught at the top of the tree.
Bottom
(transitive) To furnish (something) with a bottom.
To bottom a chair
Top
(irrespective of present orientation) the part of something that is usually the top.
We flipped the machine onto its top.
Bottom
(transitive) To pour spirits into (a glass to be topped up with soda water).
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.
Bottom
(obsolete) To wind (like a ball of thread etc.).
Top
A lid, cap or cover of a container.
Put a top on the toothpaste tube or it will go bad.
Bottom
(transitive) To establish or found (something) on or upon.
Top
A garment worn to cover the torso.
I bought this top as it matches my jeans.
I like this pyjama top.
Bottom
To lie on the bottom of; to underlie, to lie beneath.
Top
A framework at the top of a ship's mast to which rigging is attached.
Bottom
To be based or grounded.
Top
(baseball) The first half of an inning, during which the home team fields and the visiting team bats.
Bottom
To reach or strike against the bottom of something, so as to impede free action.
Top
(archaic) The crown of the head, or the hair upon it; the head.
Bottom
(transitive) To reach the bottom of something.
Top
The near end of somewhere
The patio is at the top of my garden.
The shop is at the top of my street.
Bottom
To fall to the lowest point.
Top
A child’s spinning toy; a spinning top.
The boy was amazed at how long the top would spin.
Bottom
To be the submissive partner in a BDSM relationship.
Top
(heading) Someone who is eminent.
Bottom
The lowest or last place or position.
Those files should go on the bottom shelf.
Top
(archaic) The chief person; the most prominent one.
Bottom
(transgender) Relating to the genitals.
Bottom dysphoria
Bottom surgery
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
Bottom
The lowest part of anything; the foot; as, the bottom of a tree or well; the bottom of a hill, a lane, or a page.
Or dive into the bottom of the deep.
Top
(BDSM) A dominant partner in a BDSM relationship or roleplay.
Bottom
The part of anything which is beneath the contents and supports them, as the part of a chair on which a person sits, the circular base or lower head of a cask or tub, or the plank floor of a ship's hold; the under surface.
Barrels with the bottom knocked out.
No two chairs were alike; such high backs and low backs and leather bottoms and worsted bottoms.
Top
Oral stimulation of the male member, a blowjob.
Bottom
That upon which anything rests or is founded, in a literal or a figurative sense; foundation; groundwork.
Top
(particle physics) A top quark.
Bottom
The bed of a body of water, as of a river, lake, sea.
Top
The utmost degree; the acme; the summit.
Bottom
The fundament; the buttocks.
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.
Bottom
An abyss.
Top
(sound) Highest pitch or loudest volume.
She sang at the top of her voice.
Bottom
Low land formed by alluvial deposits along a river; low-lying ground; a dale; a valley.
Top
(wool manufacture) A bundle or ball of slivers of combed wool, from which the noils, or dust, have been taken out.
Bottom
The part of a ship which is ordinarily under water; hence, the vessel itself; a ship.
My ventures are not in one bottom trusted.
Not to sell the teas, but to return them to London in thesame bottoms in which they were shipped.
Top
(obsolete, except in one sense of phrase on top of) Eve; verge; point.
Bottom
Power of endurance; as, a horse of a good bottom.
Top
The part of a cut gem between the girdle, or circumference, and the table, or flat upper surface.
Bottom
Dregs or grounds; lees; sediment.
He was at the bottom of many excellent counsels.
Top
Topboots.
Bottom
A ball or skein of thread; a cocoon.
Silkworms finish their bottoms in . . . fifteen days.
Top
A stroke on the top of the ball.
Bottom
Of or pertaining to the bottom; fundamental; lowest; under; as, bottom rock; the bottom board of a wagon box; bottom prices.
Top
A forward spin given to the ball by hitting it on or near the top; topspin
Bottom
To found or build upon; to fix upon as a support; - followed by on or upon.
Action is supposed to be bottomed upon principle.
Those false and deceiving grounds upon which many bottom their eternal state].
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.
Bottom
To furnish with a bottom; as, to bottom a chair.
Top
To cover on the top or with a top.
I like my ice cream topped with chocolate sauce.
Bottom
To reach or get to the bottom of.
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.
Bottom
To rest, as upon an ultimate support; to be based or grounded; - usually with on or upon.
Find on what foundation any proposition bottoms.
Top
To be in the lead, to be at number one position (of).
Celine Dion topped the UK music charts twice in the 1990s.
Bottom
To reach or impinge against the bottom, so as to impede free action, as when the point of a cog strikes the bottom of a space between two other cogs, or a piston the end of a cylinder.
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.
Bottom
To wind round something, as in making a ball of thread.
As you unwind her love from him,Lest it should ravel and be good to none,You must provide to bottom it on me.
Top
To commit suicide.
Depression causes many people to top themselves.
Bottom
The lower side of anything
Top
To murder.
Bottom
The lowest part of anything;
They started at the bottom of the hill
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".
Bottom
The fleshy part of the human body that you sit on;
He deserves a good kick in the butt
Are you going to sit on your fanny and do nothing?
Top
(archaic) To rise aloft; to be eminent; to tower.
Topping passions
Bottom
The second half of an inning; while the home team is at bat
Top
(archaic) To excel; to rise above others.
Bottom
A depression forming the ground under a body of water;
He searched for treasure on the ocean bed
Top
(nautical) To raise one end of (a yard, etc.), making it higher than the other.
Bottom
Low-lying alluvial land near a river
Top
(dyeing) To cover with another dye.
To top aniline black with methyl violet to prevent greening
Bottom
A cargo ship;
They did much of their overseas trade in foreign bottoms
Top
To put a stiffening piece or back on (a saw blade).
Bottom
Provide with a bottom or a seat;
Bottom the chairs
Top
To arrange (fruit, etc.) with the best on top.
Bottom
Strike the ground, as with a ship's bottom
Top
(of a horse) To strike the top of (an obstacle) with the hind feet while jumping, so as to gain new impetus.
Bottom
Come to understand
Top
To improve (domestic animals, especially sheep) by crossing certain individuals or breeds with other superior breeds.
Bottom
Situated at the bottom or lowest position;
The bottom drawer
The top shelf
Top
To cut, break, or otherwise take off the top of (a steel ingot) to remove unsound metal.
Bottom
At the bottom; lowest or last;
The bottom price
Top
(golf) To strike (the ball) above the centre; also, to make (a stroke, etc.) by hitting the ball in this way.
Bottom
The lowest rank;
Bottom member of the class
Top
Situated on the top of something.
Bottom
The lowest part or point of something.
The divers explored the bottom of the ocean.
Top
(informal) Best; of the highest quality or rank.
She's in the top dance school.
Bottom
To reach the lowest point or depth.
The company's stocks bottomed last year.
Top
(informal) Very good, of high quality, power, or rank.
He's a top lawyer.
That is a top car.
Bottom
Located at the lowest position.
She found the document at the bottom drawer.
Top
Rated first.
She came top in her French exam.
Bottom
The part on which something rests or is supported.
The vase had a sturdy bottom.
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
Top
To surpass or exceed a record or standard.
The movie topped box office sales for weeks.
Top
To remove the top part of something.
She topped the carrots before cooking.
Common Curiosities
Can "top" and "bottom" be used metaphorically?
Yes, they can refer to positions in hierarchies or levels of performance.
What does "top" generally refer to in a physical sense?
It refers to the highest or uppermost point of something.
What does "bottom" generally refer to in a physical sense?
It refers to the lowest part or base of something.
Are "top" and "bottom" used in clothing terminology?
Yes, "top" refers to upper body garments, and "bottom" to lower body garments.
How are "top" and "bottom" used in the context of performance?
"Top" refers to high performance or rank, while "bottom" indicates lower performance or rank.
Does "bottom" have an adjective form?
Yes, it can describe something located at the lowest position.
Can "top" be used as a verb?
Yes, it can mean to surpass or exceed something.
Can "bottom" be used as a verb?
Yes, it can mean to reach the lowest point or depth.
Do "top" and "bottom" have opposite meanings?
In many contexts, they are used as opposites, such as highest vs. lowest.
Can "top" be used to describe a type of clothing?
Yes, it refers to garments worn on the upper part of the body.
Can "bottom" be used to describe a type of clothing?
Yes, it refers to garments worn on the lower part of the body.
Is "top" only used to describe physical objects?
No, it can also describe abstract concepts like performance or status.
Are there any idiomatic expressions using "top" or "bottom"?
Yes, expressions like "top-notch" or "rock bottom" are idiomatic.
Does "top" have an adjective form?
Yes, it can describe something of the highest quality or rank.
Is "bottom" only used to describe physical objects?
No, it can also describe abstract concepts like rankings or foundations.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
