topsy-turvy

1 of 3

adverb

top·​sy-tur·​vy ˌtäp-sē-ˈtər-vē How to pronounce topsy-turvy (audio)
1
: in utter confusion or disorder
2
: with the top or head downward : upside down

topsy-turvy

2 of 3

adjective

: turned topsy-turvy : totally disordered
topsy-turvily adverb
topsy-turvydom noun

topsy-turvy

3 of 3

noun

Examples of topsy-turvy in a Sentence

Adjective the office is still topsy-turvy even though we moved in months ago
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
But even before the results are final, there are some clear winners and losers in this year’s topsy-turvy race for the White House between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024 The video opens like a horror film, as Gaga emerges from a pool in a bedazzled alien mask, drawing us into her topsy-turvy sonic world. Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
Within that film’s topsy-turvy multiverse, Quan was by turns a laundromat owner on the verge of divorcing his wife, a dashing romantic lead and an action hero. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2023 Pinsker’s characters always make the best of tricky situations, which only makes their struggles in her topsy-turvy worlds more heartbreaking. Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for topsy-turvy 

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

probably ultimately from tops (plural of top entry 1) + obsolete English terve to turn upside down

First Known Use

Adverb

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1655, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of topsy-turvy was in 1528

Dictionary Entries Near topsy-turvy

Cite this Entry

“Topsy-turvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topsy-turvy. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

topsy-turvy

adverb
top·​sy-tur·​vy
ˌtäp-sē-ˈtər-vē
topsy-turvy adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on topsy-turvy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!