top-shelf
adjective
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
Joe Queenan2
[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
The GrocerSynonyms of top-shelf
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
The business’ owner told police that change from all three cash register drawers had been stolen, as well as a bottle of top-shelf whiskey.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 8 June 2026
This is home, complete with a showstopping entrance and top-shelf performances to back it.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 6 June 2026
Check out our favorite finds below, including a cleaning kit that helps prevent dryer fires, a folding grabber tool for reaching top-shelf items, and a funnel set for all your decanting needs—with some products marked down by up to 43%.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026
The creators’ fund is designed to provide top-shelf AI tools and funding to creators from a range of styles and backgrounds.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for top-shelf
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Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 8 June 2026
This is home, complete with a showstopping entrance and top-shelf performances to back it.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 6 June 2026
Check out our favorite finds below, including a cleaning kit that helps prevent dryer fires, a folding grabber tool for reaching top-shelf items, and a funnel set for all your decanting needs—with some products marked down by up to 43%.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026
The creators’ fund is designed to provide top-shelf AI tools and funding to creators from a range of styles and backgrounds.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for top-shelf
Cite this Entry
“Top-shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top-shelf. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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