1 topsy-turvily | Definition of topsy-turvily
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topsy-turvy

adverb
top·​sy-tur·​vy | \ ˌtäp-sē-ˈtər-vē How to pronounce topsy-turvy (audio) \

Definition of topsy-turvy

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : in utter confusion or disorder
2 : with the top or head downward : upside down

topsy-turvy

adjective

Definition of topsy-turvy (Entry 2 of 3)

: turned topsy-turvy : totally disordered

topsy-turvy

noun

Definition of topsy-turvy (Entry 3 of 3)

: topsy-turviness
Other Words from topsy-turvy Synonyms & Antonyms Learn More about topsy-turvy

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Other Words from topsy-turvy

Adjective

topsy-turvily \ ˌtäp-​sē-​ˈtər-​və-​lē How to pronounce topsy-turvily (audio) \ adverb
topsy-turvydom \ ˌtäp-​sē-​ˈtər-​vē-​dəm How to pronounce topsy-turvydom (audio) \ noun

First Known Use of topsy-turvy

Adverb

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1655, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for topsy-turvy

Adverb

probably ultimately from tops (plural of top entry 1) + obsolete English terve to turn upside down

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More Definitions for topsy-turvy

topsy-turvy

adverb
How to pronounce topsy-turvy (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of topsy-turvy

: in or into great disorder or confusion

See the full definition for topsy-turvy in the English Language Learners Dictionary

topsy-turvy

adverb or adjective
top·​sy-tur·​vy | \ ˌtäp-sē-ˈtər-vē\

Kids Definition of topsy-turvy

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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More from Merriam-Webster on topsy-turvy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for topsy-turvy

Spanish Central: Translation of topsy-turvy

Nglish: Translation of topsy-turvy for Spanish Speakers

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