top-shelf

adjective

ˈtäp-ˈshelf 

1

: of the best quality

top-shelf products

Reading does have one top-shelf tourist attraction, a gorgeous pagoda that sits atop a mountain.

—Joe Queenan

2

[from the placement of sexually explicit magazines for sale on high shelves out of the reach of children] British : containing pornographic material

top-shelf magazines

This year, retailers are going to come under increased pressure to clean up their acts. Of course, they're not obliged to sell top-shelf mags.

—The Grocer

Synonyms of top-shelf

• excellent
• superb
• terrific
• wonderful
• great
• stellar
• awesome
• lovely
• beautiful
• fabulous
• fantastic
• prime
• fine
• marvelous
• quality
• classic
• hot

Examples of top-shelf in a Sentence

hoping to impress the new neighbors, she brought a top-shelf wine as a housewarming gift

Recent Examples on the Web

On weekend nights, Combs would reportedly break into a secret stash of top-shelf liquor allegedly smuggled into the prison by guards and shared with a small circle of inmates. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Buck and Aikman, who spent two decades together calling games on Fox, brought instant credibility with them, and the league’s schedule makers have responded by giving ESPN many top-shelf games. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026

Beyond that top-shelf quartet of AFC quarterbacks, there are rumblings of a new generation’s push to reach that lofty level. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Midnight margaritas’ subtle sweetness and nutty flavor balance the bright lime juice and tequila, creating a drink reminiscent of a classic top-shelf margarita with a tropical twist. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for top-shelf

• bookshelf
• herself
• himself
• hisself
• itself
• meself
• myself
• nonself
• oneself
• thyself
• yourself
• elf