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View synonyms for topsy-turvy

topsy-turvy

[ top-see-tur-vee ]

adverb

  1. with the top where the bottom should be; upside down.
  2. in or into a reversed condition or order.
  3. in or into a state of confusion or disorder.


adjective

  1. turned upside down; inverted; reversed:

    a topsy-turvy reflection.

  2. confused or disorderly:

    a topsy-turvy classroom.

noun

, plural top·sy-tur·vies.
  1. inversion of the natural order.
  2. a state of confusion or disorder.

topsy-turvy

/ ˈtɒpsɪˈtɜːvɪ /

adjective

  1. upside down
  2. in a state of confusion
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adverb

  1. in a topsy-turvy manner
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a topsy-turvy state
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • topsy-turvi·ly adverb
  • topsy·turvi·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of topsy-turvy1

1520–30; perhaps variant of top syd turvye topside down (with loss of d before t ); turvy, variant of tervy, equivalent to obsolete terve to turn over (cognate with Old High German zerben ) + -y 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of topsy-turvy1

C16: probably from tops, plural of top 1+ obsolete tervy to turn upside down; perhaps related to Old English tearflian to roll over
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Example Sentences

In this topsy-turvy political year nothing quite seems to be certain.

In such a topsy-turvy season, one simple solution is…blaming the voters!

Everything is topsy-turvy in Europe according to our moral ideas, and they don't have what we call "men" over here.

Why, I know not what you call it; but if the house were turned topsy turvy, I should be in the cellar.

Almost comic this last—a sort of topsy-turvy adultery charge!

It was all over, the light was gone, everything was topsy-turvy.

The bottom had, indeed, dropped out of things—the universe was topsy-turvy.

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