topless

adjective

top·​less ˈtäp-ləs How to pronounce topless (audio)
1
a
: wearing no clothing on the upper body
b
: featuring topless waitresses or entertainers
topless bars
c
: being a place where topless women are permitted
a topless beach
2
: being without a top
3
archaic : so high as to reach up beyond sight
and burnt the topless towers of IliumChristopher Marlowe
toplessness noun

Examples of topless in a Sentence

She likes to go topless on the beach.
Recent Examples on the Web And that was rammed home to Mahomes after a post from the official NFL Instagram from the Kansas City Chiefs’ locker room following their victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game showed a topless Mahomes speaking to his teammates. Ben Morse, CNN, 1 Feb. 2024 Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson, who is currently expecting her first child with fiancé Brandon Davis, posed for a magazine cover topless and cradling her baby bump. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2024 The poet and the mixed media artist wed with the help of a fiery red reception gown, bridesmaids dressed like Disney princesses, and a topless dance — by the groom. Essence, 23 Feb. 2024 Behind them is a mural painted by Lamy’s daughter, a cemetery scene with a Minotaur-like creature and topless women dancing in niqabs. Nick Haramis Ola Rindal Dogukan Nesanir, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 The video features shots of topless models on yachts, faux secret-camera footage and Affleck literally kissing Lopez on the ass while luxuriating on a yacht. Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 13 Feb. 2024 There were only a couple of topless dancers slinking around poles, and barely any customers; apparently this hour in Las Vegas night life is equivalent to noon somewhere else. Amy Kaufman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2024 The Advertising Standards Authority also reviewed Calvin Klein posters featuring Kendall Jenner, one of which showed the model topless with her hands across her chest. USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2024 The actor, who stars alongside Gina Rodriguez in the new Netflix rom-com Players, is known for his charismatic portrayal of the Devil incarnate in Lucifer — and the character's many topless scenes. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'topless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of topless was in 1589

Dictionary Entries Near topless

Cite this Entry

“Topless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topless. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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