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
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Fries range from $4 to $6 depending on the toppings.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
Here are a few ways to make healthier choices when ordering boba tea:
Add fewer toppings: Tapioca pearls add sugar to your drink, so ask for less of these bubbles.
—Samantha Lauriello, Health, 8 Apr. 2024
Let mom mix up her perfect cup with a trio of classic tea toppings.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2024
Food prices run from $5 for bubble waffle sticks, $10 for mini pancakes and $12 for bubble waffles, with upcharges for toppings.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2024
The 28-piece set has several ice cream flavors, toppings, cones, a reusable menu, and more.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 24 Mar. 2024
Learn how to make ham biscuits, and then have fun planning your spreads and toppings.
Ingredients for Ham Biscuits
These ham biscuits come together with staple baking ingredients, including flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, butter, and buttermilk.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Classic Shepherd’s Pie A comforting, filling staple of the Irish table, this classic shepherd’s pie features ground lamb, potatoes and a cheesy topping.
—Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 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
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
Here are a few ways to make healthier choices when ordering boba tea:
Add fewer toppings: Tapioca pearls add sugar to your drink, so ask for less of these bubbles.
—Samantha Lauriello, Health, 8 Apr. 2024
Let mom mix up her perfect cup with a trio of classic tea toppings.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2024
Food prices run from $5 for bubble waffle sticks, $10 for mini pancakes and $12 for bubble waffles, with upcharges for toppings.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2024
The 28-piece set has several ice cream flavors, toppings, cones, a reusable menu, and more.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 24 Mar. 2024
Learn how to make ham biscuits, and then have fun planning your spreads and toppings.
Ingredients for Ham Biscuits
These ham biscuits come together with staple baking ingredients, including flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, butter, and buttermilk.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Classic Shepherd’s Pie A comforting, filling staple of the Irish table, this classic shepherd’s pie features ground lamb, potatoes and a cheesy topping.
—Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 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.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near topping
Cite this Entry
“Topping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topping. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
topping
noun
top·ping
ˈtäp-iŋ
: a food served on top of another to make it look or taste better
More from Merriam-Webster on topping
Nglish: Translation of topping for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of topping for Arabic Speakers
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