redtop: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Specialized; Technical (botany), Informal/Jargon (media)
Quick answer
What does “redtop” mean?
A type of grass, especially a bentgrass of the genus Agrostis, known for its reddish seed heads.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of grass, especially a bentgrass of the genus Agrostis, known for its reddish seed heads.
In North America, also used to refer to newspapers considered sensationalist or tabloid in nature, particularly those with red mastheads.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'redtop' is almost exclusively botanical. In American English, the journalistic sense is also recognized, though still niche.
Connotations
Botanical: neutral/technical. Media: pejorative, implying sensationalism, lowbrow journalism.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general use. Primarily found in specialized texts on turfgrasses or media criticism.
Grammar
How to Use “redtop” in a Sentence
[redtop] as [subject][adjective] redtopthe redtop [verb]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “redtop” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The redtop press was obsessed with the scandal.
- We need a redtop grass for the fairway.
American English
- Redtop journalism thrives on controversy.
- The redtop bentgrass has spread across the field.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in botany/agriculture papers discussing pasture or turf species.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Botany: A grass species (Agrostis gigantea, Agrostis stolonifera). Media studies: A type of UK tabloid newspaper.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “redtop”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “redtop”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “redtop”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'newspaper'. Confusing it with 'red tape'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word used primarily in specialized contexts like botany or media studies.
No, standard dictionaries do not list a verbal use for 'redtop'.
British usage strongly associates it with tabloid journalism due to the red mastheads of newspapers like The Sun. American usage leans slightly more towards the botanical meaning, though both are understood.
It is informal and often pejorative, used in media criticism rather than official classifications.
A type of grass, especially a bentgrass of the genus Agrostis, known for its reddish seed heads.
Redtop: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɛdtɒp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɛdˌtɑːp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a newspaper with a RED TOP masthead lying on a lawn of reddish-tipped grass.
Conceptual Metaphor
SENSATIONALISM IS A RED FLAG (for the tabloid sense).
Practice
Quiz
In British media discourse, what does 'redtop' specifically refer to?