topless

American  

[top-lis] / ˈtɒp lɪs /

adjective

1. lacking a top: tops.

   a topless bathing suit.

2. nude above the waist or hips.

   topless dancers.

3. featuring entertainers, waitresses, etc., who are nude above the waist or hips.

   a topless bar.

4. extremely high.

   a topless mountain.

5. Obsolete. without a peer.

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topless British  

/ ˈtɒplɪs /

adjective

1. having no top

2. 1. denoting a costume which has no covering for the breasts

   2. wearing such a costume

3. archaic immeasurably high

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Other Word Forms

• toplessness noun

Etymology

Origin of topless

First recorded in 1580–90; top ¹ + -less

Example Sentences

Activists in Catalonia are celebrating after the government of the Spanish region informed its town and city halls that they must allow women to go topless in public swimming pools.

From BBC

It makes no explicit mention of drag but forbids “adult cabaret” and performances on public property by topless, go-go or exotic dancers, strippers, or male or female impersonators that are “harmful to minors.”

From New York Times

Furthermore, “male or female impersonators” are now classified as a form of adult cabaret, akin to strippers and topless, go-go and exotic dancers.

From Seattle Times

There was the time Goucher realized her coach had been spying on her when she was topless.

From Washington Post

Berlin’s authorities want to make it very clear: Women are free to swim topless in municipal pools, as are those who identify as nonbinary, if that’s what they want.

From Washington Post