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

The sequel is, like its predecessor, wall-to-wall animated frenzy, with chases, fights and handsomely detailed set pieces such as a topsy-turvy casino land where characters walk on walls and ceilings.

From The Wall Street Journal

Along the walls were topsy-turvy shelves of cookbooks and books about the history of baking and how to be a beekeeper.

From Literature

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

Related Words

• chaotic
• confused
• disarranged
• disorderly