topsy-turvy

1 of 3

adverb

top·​sy-tur·​vy ˌtäp-sē-ˈtər-vē 

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

ˌtäp-sē-ˈtər-və-lē 

adverb

topsy-turvydom

ˌtäp-sē-ˈtər-vē-dəm 

noun

topsy-turvy

3 of 3

noun

: topsy-turviness

Synonyms of topsy-turvy

Adjective

• chaotic
• messy
• confused
• littered
• sloppy

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

Adverb

Sweden, on the other hand, have had a topsy-turvy campaign thus far. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 25 June 2026

The sixth inning was the most crucial frame of a topsy-turvy game that was poised to be high-scoring from the start. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 31 May 2026

Adjective

But then came a critical turning point in a topsy-turvy game. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

What gives with the topsy-turvy spending intentions around MLB? — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 25 Nov. 2025

Noun

Her child was topsy-turvy all over the back seat with her shoes leaving marks on my back window. — Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 7 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

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

Rhymes for topsy-turvy

• curvy
• nervy
• scurvy

Kids Definition

topsy-turvy

adverb

top·​sy-tur·​vy

ˌtäp-sē-ˈtər-vē

: upside down

topsy-turvy adjective