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

• A-OK
• A1
• awesome
• bang-up
• banner
• beautiful
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• boffo
• bonny [chiefly British]
• bonnie
• boss [slang]
• brag
• brave
• bully
• bumper
• capital
• choice
• classic
• cool [slang]
• corking
• crackerjack
• cracking
• dandy
• divine
• dope [slang]
• down [slang]
• dynamite
• excellent
• fab
• fabulous
• famous
• fantabulous [slang]
• fantastic
• fine
• first-class
• first-rate
• first-string
• five-star
• four-star
• frontline
• gangbusters
• gangbuster
• gilt-edged
• gilt-edge
• gone [slang]
• grand
• great
• groovy
• heavenly
• high-class
• hot
• hype [slang]
• immense
• jim-dandy
• keen
• lovely
• marvelous
• marvellous
• mean
• neat
• nifty
• noble
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• out-of-sight [slang]
• par excellence
• peachy
• peachy keen
• phat [slang]
• prime
• primo [slang]
• prize
• prizewinning
• quality
• radical [slang]
• righteous [slang]
• sensational
• slick
• splendid
• stellar
• sterling
• superb
• superior
• superlative
• supernal
• swell
• terrific
• tip-top
• top
• top-notch
• top-of-the-line
• topflight
• topping [chiefly British]
• unsurpassed
• wizard [chiefly British]
• wonderful

Examples of top-shelf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, however, its dugout is full of top-shelf players within the first six years of their MLB careers who have not yet reached free agency nor their market-earning potential. —Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2023

Also, some top-shelf schadenfreude if the 49ers and Broncos miss the playoffs. —Daniel Kohn, Spin, 6 Sep. 2023

Be ready to be astounded by the greater potency of this top-shelf cannabis, which results in a euphoric high that is perfectly legal. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023

Stanly Ranch Napa Valley’s latest luxe retreat improves upon the wine country resort with modern cabins surrounded by vines, multiple pools, a Scandi-meets-California-cuisine restaurant with a top-shelf bar and an on-site vegetable garden. —Hugh Garvey, Sunset Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023

As if the cream wasn’t already top-shelf in terms of its anti-aging prowess, this new formulation tethers those Caviar Micro-Nutrients with another La Prairie innovation: Caviar Premier. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2023

The deal doesn't include food, excludes top-shelf liquor and doesn't work on Sundays where the Packers and Jets play at the same time. —Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2023

Her gifts were obvious, starting with a top-shelf backhand and elite speed around the court. —Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023

In the meantime, sources say the company has taken on a top-shelf collection of music company investors such as Spotify, Live Nation, YouTube, Red Light Management and Bertelsmann Digital Media. —Elizabeth Dilts Marshall, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1