Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [top-see-tur-vee]
- /ˈtɒp siˈtɜr vi/
- /ˌtɒp.siˈtɜː.vi/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [top-see-tur-vee]
- /ˈtɒp siˈtɜr vi/
Definitions of topsy-turvy word
- adverb topsy-turvy with the top where the bottom should be; upside down. 1
- adverb topsy-turvy in or into a reversed condition or order. 1
- adverb topsy-turvy in or into a state of confusion or disorder. 1
- adjective topsy-turvy turned upside down; inverted; reversed: a topsy-turvy reflection. 1
- adjective topsy-turvy confused or disorderly: a topsy-turvy classroom. 1
- noun plural topsy-turvy inversion of the natural order. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of topsy-turvy
First appearance:
before 1520 One of the 28% oldest English words
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) + -y1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Topsy-turvy
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
topsy-turvy popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 32% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.
Synonyms for topsy-turvy
adj topsy-turvy
- agee — awry, crooked, or ajar
- all over the place — If something is happening all over the place, it is happening in many different places.
- anarchic — If you describe someone or something as anarchic, you disapprove of them because they do not recognize or obey any rules or laws.
- catawampus — askew; awry
- chaotic — Something that is chaotic is in a state of complete disorder and confusion.
adv topsy-turvy
- anywise — in any way or manner; at all
- at random — If you choose people or things at random, you do not use any particular method, so they all have an equal chance of being chosen.
- helter-skelter — in headlong and disorderly haste: The children ran helter-skelter all over the house.
- hurriedly — moving or working rapidly, especially forced or required to hurry, as a person.
- incontinently — immediately; at once; straightaway.
noun topsy-turvy
adjective topsy-turvy
- disarrayed — Simple past tense and past participle of disarray.
- dislocated — Simple past tense and past participle of dislocate.
- disordered — lacking organization or in confusion; disarranged.
- disorganised — Lacking order or organisation; confused; chaotic.
- disorganized — functioning without adequate order, systemization, or planning; uncoordinated: a woefully disorganized enterprise.
adverb topsy-turvy
- incautiously — In an incautious manner; with a lack of caution.
Antonyms for topsy-turvy
noun topsy-turvy
- normality — conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal; regular; natural.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with t
- Words starting with to
- Words starting with top
- Words starting with tops
- Words starting with topsy
- Words starting with topsyt
- Words starting with topsytu
- Words starting with topsytur
- Words starting with topsyturv
- Words starting with topsyturvy