First Known Use: 1528
Dictionary
1topsy–turvy
adverb top·sy–tur·vy \ˌtäp-sē-ˈtər-vē\
: in or into great disorder or confusion
Full Definition of TOPSY-TURVY
1
: in utter confusion or disorder
2
: with the top or head downward : upside down
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Origin of TOPSY-TURVY
probably ultimately from tops (plural of 1top) + obsolete English terve to turn upside down
2topsy–turvy
adjective
Definition of TOPSY-TURVY
: turned topsy-turvy : totally disordered
— top·sy–tur·vi·ly \-ˈtər-və-lē\ adverb
— top·sy–tur·vy·dom \-vē-dəm\ noun
First Known Use of TOPSY-TURVY
1612
Related to TOPSY-TURVY
- Synonyms
- chaotic, cluttered, confused, disarranged, disarrayed, disheveled (or dishevelled), disordered, disorderly, higgledy-piggledy, hugger-mugger, jumbled, littered, messed, muddled, mussed, mussy, pell-mell, rumpled, sloppy, topsy-turvy, tousled, tumbled, unkempt, untidy, upside-down
3topsy–turvy
noun
TOPSY-TURVY Defined for Kids
topsy–turvy
adverb or adjective top·sy–tur·vy \ˌtäp-sē-ˈtər-vē\
Definition of TOPSY-TURVY for Kids
1
: upside down <The wagon lay topsy-turvy at the bottom of the hill.>
2
: in complete disorder <“… our lives have been very topsy-turvy for quite some time.” — Lemony Snicket, The Austere Academy>
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