topper: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Mainly informal, though 'top hat' sense is neutral. Predominantly spoken and figurative.
Quick answer
What does “topper” mean?
A person or thing that is at the top of its class, achieves the highest level, or surpasses all others.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing that is at the top of its class, achieves the highest level, or surpasses all others.
An item of clothing worn on the head (specifically a top hat). Also, a light jacket or sweater worn as the outermost layer. In some contexts, a person or action that is remarkably good or that concludes something dramatically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
BrE: Strongly associated with 'top hat' (formal wear). 'That's a topper!' as an exclamation of praise is somewhat archaic. AmE: The figurative 'one that tops all others' sense is slightly more common, but still not high-frequency. The 'jacket' sense is obsolete in both.
Connotations
BrE: Can evoke images of formal Victorian/Edwardian attire or archaic slang. AmE: More likely to be understood as a competitive or superlative term.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties. More likely found in specific contexts (e.g., academic rankings in India, historical drama).
Grammar
How to Use “topper” in a Sentence
[be] a topper[be] the topper of + [group/class][verb] a topperVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in informal praise: 'His sales figures were a real topper.'
Academic
Used in some Commonwealth countries (e.g., India, Pakistan) to denote the student with the highest marks in an exam: 'She was the university topper.'
Everyday
Informal, for something surprisingly good or that concludes an event well: 'Your joke was the topper of the evening.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “topper”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “topper”
- Using 'topper' as a standard synonym for 'best' in formal writing. Confusing it with 'topper' as a brand name for car parts or pizza toppings.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is low-frequency. Its most common modern use is in South Asian English for 'top-scoring student'. The 'top hat' sense is understood but formal/archaic.
No, 'topper' is exclusively a noun. The related verb is 'to top'.
A 'valedictorian' is specifically the top academic student in a US high school or college graduating class, who gives a speech. A 'topper' (in the academic sense) is a more general term for the highest scorer in any exam or class, common in Indian English, and does not involve a speech.
It has multiple, distinct meanings (best thing/person, top hat, old-fashioned jacket) that are not closely related, and its frequency is low, making it hard to encounter in clear context.
A person or thing that is at the top of its class, achieves the highest level, or surpasses all others.
Topper is usually mainly informal, though 'top hat' sense is neutral. predominantly spoken and figurative. in register.
Topper: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɒp.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɑː.pɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's a topper! (archaic exclamation of approval)”
- “topper of them all”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TOP PERformer – they are the TOPPER of the class.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPERIORITY IS BEING AT THE TOP (The best person/thing is the one at the highest point).
Practice
Quiz
In a British period drama, if a character says 'Fetch my topper,' what are they most likely asking for?