1
: something that forms a top
especially
: a garnish (such as a sauce, bread crumbs, or whipped cream) placed on top of a food for flavor or decoration
2
: the action of one that tops
3
: something removed by topping
Synonyms
Adjective
- 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
- top-shelf
- topflight
- unsurpassed
- wizard [chiefly British]
- wonderful
Examples of topping in a Sentence
Noun
What toppings do you want on the pizza?
an ice-cream sundae with whipped-cream topping
Adjective
I know a topping new pub in Southwark where we won't run into any toffs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024
Blended with coconut milk and spices, the nuts serve as the tart’s binding agent, rather than its topping.
—Hannah Whitaker, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
Add even more variety by serving with pickled or sliced jalapeños, green onions, lime wedges, and other favorite toppings.
—Martina McBride, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2024
Adam confirms that beets on burgers might seem strange but are a truly excellent topping.
—Bon Appétit, 11 Apr. 2024
Ask a longtime island dweller to recommend a spot, though, and the reasons for their choice tend to go beyond flavors and toppings.
—Matthew Dekneef, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
The menu has all the traditional toppings of pizza, including pepperoni, sausage, ham and pineapple, but also some curve balls like chorizo, beans and jalapenos.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024
When making this sweet treat ahead of time, just reserve the topping to add just before serving.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Fries range from $4 to $6 depending on the toppings.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2022
This Greek Yogurt Parfait comes with one of two topping options, granola or cookie crumbs.
—Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 6 Dec. 2022
Make topping: Using stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip cream cheese, sugar and vanilla on medium-high speed until very smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping bowl as needed.
—Tribune News Service, cleveland, 5 July 2022
In a medium bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, butter and walnuts to form a crumbly topping.
—Jane Black, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2022
However, reducing a tree's size by indiscriminately lopping off large branches, referred to as 'topping,' is not a good way of caring for trees.
—Rachael Baihn, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2022
To get people excited about pizza again, Papa Johns is offering a new spin on the classic, with Papa Bowls that are all topping — no crust.
—Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN, 17 Aug. 2022
Work the butter through the dry ingredients to form a crumbly topping.
—Julia O'Malley, Anchorage Daily News, 30 June 2022
The firm expects that growth rate to continue as landlords compete fiercely in markets where vacancy rates are nearing or topping record levels.
—Peter Grant, WSJ, 19 Oct. 2021
Noun
At a recent Pizzeria Sei test tasting, toppings ranged from California-roll-inspired to decadent potato and caviar to silky Wagyu beef tongue.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024
Blended with coconut milk and spices, the nuts serve as the tart’s binding agent, rather than its topping.
—Hannah Whitaker, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
Add even more variety by serving with pickled or sliced jalapeños, green onions, lime wedges, and other favorite toppings.
—Martina McBride, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2024
Adam confirms that beets on burgers might seem strange but are a truly excellent topping.
—Bon Appétit, 11 Apr. 2024
Ask a longtime island dweller to recommend a spot, though, and the reasons for their choice tend to go beyond flavors and toppings.
—Matthew Dekneef, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
The menu has all the traditional toppings of pizza, including pepperoni, sausage, ham and pineapple, but also some curve balls like chorizo, beans and jalapenos.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024
When making this sweet treat ahead of time, just reserve the topping to add just before serving.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Fries range from $4 to $6 depending on the toppings.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Start with this easy nachos recipe, then go to town with topping options such as cilantro, jalapeno peppers, sour cream, and salsa.
—Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2022
This Greek Yogurt Parfait comes with one of two topping options, granola or cookie crumbs.
—Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 6 Dec. 2022
Make topping: Using stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip cream cheese, sugar and vanilla on medium-high speed until very smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping bowl as needed.
—Tribune News Service, cleveland, 5 July 2022
In a medium bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, butter and walnuts to form a crumbly topping.
—Jane Black, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2022
However, reducing a tree's size by indiscriminately lopping off large branches, referred to as 'topping,' is not a good way of caring for trees.
—Rachael Baihn, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2022
To get people excited about pizza again, Papa Johns is offering a new spin on the classic, with Papa Bowls that are all topping — no crust.
—Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN, 17 Aug. 2022
Work the butter through the dry ingredients to form a crumbly topping.
—Julia O'Malley, Anchorage Daily News, 30 June 2022
The firm expects that growth rate to continue as landlords compete fiercely in markets where vacancy rates are nearing or topping record levels.
—Peter Grant, WSJ, 19 Oct. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'topping.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near topping
Cite this Entry
“Topping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topping. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
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