topsy-turvy

American  

[top-see-tur-vee] / ˈtɒp siˈtɜr vi /

adverb

1. with the top where the bottom should be; upside down.

2. in or into a reversed condition or order.

3. in or into a state of confusion or disorder.

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adjective

1. turned upside down; inverted; reversed.

   a topsy-turvy reflection.

2. confused or disorderly.

   a topsy-turvy classroom.

noun

plural

topsy-turvies

1. inversion of the natural order.

2. a state of confusion or disorder.

topsy-turvy British  

/ ˈtɒpsɪˈtɜːvɪ /

adjective

1. upside down

2. in a state of confusion

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adverb

1. in a topsy-turvy manner

noun

1. a topsy-turvy state

Other Word Forms

• topsy-turvily adverb
• topsyturviness noun

Etymology

Origin of topsy-turvy

1520–30; perhaps variant of top syd turvye topside down (with loss of d before t ); turvy, variant of tervy, equivalent to obsolete terve to turn over (cognate with Old High German zerben ) + -y ¹

Example Sentences

They came out for the deciding set and it was all change again, Swiatek flipping a switch and smiling broadly at the end as she emerged victorious from a topsy-turvy encounter.

From Barron's

The topsy-turvy path to Friday’s quiet close reminded investors of the many forces that have made markets’ record-breaking run in recent months feel more like a high-wire act.

From The Wall Street Journal

Luton -- best known for its airport serving budget airlines and a football team with topsy-turvy fortunes -- was for centuries an industrial town.

From Barron's

The topsy-turvy year resulted in strong demand for the banks’ trading and markets services, while dealmaking surged with an uptick in mergers and acquisitions and initial public offerings of stock.

From The Wall Street Journal

It blew topsy-turvy in an eastward direction, borne by fate and the prevailing winds toward the wide, unforgiving sea.

From Literature

Related Words

• chaotic
• confused
• disarranged
• disorderly