top-heavy

adjective

ˈtäp-ˌhe-vē 

1

: having the top part too heavy for the lower part

2

: having too high a proportion of administrators

a top-heavy bureaucracy

3

: oversupplied with one element at the expense of others : lacking balance

a novel top-heavy with description

Examples of top-heavy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But just keep in mind that the payout structure on GPPs is top-heavy. — Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

For travelers, those top-heavy numbers present an opportunity, said Leigh Barnes, president of the Americas for tour company Intrepid Travel. — Jen Rose Smith, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

The Spurs will also eventually have max extensions for Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper at this rate, meaning their cap sheet will get top-heavy the next few years. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 July 2026

Support top-heavy plants by wrapping a slit pool noodle around stems or pairing it with a stake for stability. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for top-heavy

• replevy
• bevy
• chevy
• heavy
• levee
• levy

Kids Definition

top-heavy

adjective

ˈtäp-ˌhev-ē

: having the top part too heavy for the lower part