tiptop

American  

[tip-top, tip-top, -top, tip-top] / ˈtɪpˌtɒp, ˈtɪpˈtɒp, -ˌtɒp, ˈtɪpˈtɒp /

noun

1. the extreme top or summit.

2. Informal. the highest point or degree.

   the very tiptop of physical condition.

3. Chiefly British Informal. the highest social class.

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adjective

1. situated at the very top.

2. Informal. of the highest quality; excellent.

   a tiptop meal.

adverb

1. in a tiptop manner; very well.

   It's shaping up tiptop.

tiptop British  

/ ˌtɪpˈtɒp /

adjective

1. at the highest point of health, excellence, etc

2. at the topmost point

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noun

1. the best in quality

2. the topmost point

Usage

What does tiptop mean? Tiptop refers to the very top of something or the “top of the top,” as in He climbed to the tiptop of the mountain. For example, the top of a person could include their neck and shoulders, while the tiptop of a person specifically means their head or even the top of their head. Informally, tiptop means something is of the highest quality or degree, as in She was at the tiptop of her career. As an adjective, tiptop means something is located at the very top, as in Hand me the book on the tiptop shelf. Informally, tiptop means something is superb or excellent, as in The contractor did a tiptop job fixing my house. As an adverb, tiptop means something is done in a great manner or very well, as in Today, everything is going tiptop. Example: The chimpanzee climbed to the tiptop of the tree and gazed across the rainforest.

Etymology

Origin of tiptop

1695–1705; gradational compound; see tip ¹, top ¹

Example Sentences

Making sure the filters are new and ensuring the AC and furnace are in tiptop shape are essential to keeping a climate-controlled environment in your home.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 15, 2022

Moving the vessel is “the major step in getting the ship back to tiptop shape,” Gregory said Tuesday as he stood abort it while workers made final preparations.

From Washington Times • Aug. 31, 2022

Sheppard lauded Beal as a worthy franchise centerpiece in a Monday news conference and said he expects him to be in tiptop shape by the time Washington opens its training camp in September.

From Washington Post • Jun. 23, 2022

“He was one of just a handful of filmmakers at the tiptop of the list that you would go make this with,” Parent said.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2021

“Nothing,” he said, “but these two little hounds, and you be here early; and I believe I’d let these dogs rest, ’cause we want them in tiptop shape when we get there.”

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls