on top of the world Definition

top¹
noun

1. The highest part, point or level of anything.

Thesaurus: peak, summit, crown, head, crest, tip, apex, apogee, crowning point; Antonym: bottom.
2a. The highest or most important rank or position;
2b. The person holding this.
3. The upper edge or surface of something.
4. A lid or piece for covering the top of something.
5. A garment for covering the upper half of the body, especially a woman's body.
6. The highest or loudest degree or pitch.

Example: the top of one's voice
7. colloq
The very best person or thing.
Form: the tops
8. The part of a root vegetable that is above the ground.

Form: tops (usually)
(Brit)
9. autos.
top gear.

adj

1. At or being the highest or most important.

Thesaurus: highest, uppermost, topmost; Antonym: bottom.

verb topped, topping

1. To cover or form the top of something, especially as a finishing or decorative touch.
2. To remove the top of something.
3. To rise above or be better than something; to surpass.

Thesaurus: exceed, better, beat, excel, surpass.
4. To reach the top of something.
5a. slang
To kill, especially by hanging;
5b. To commit suicide.

Form: top oneself
6. golf.
To hit the upper half of (the ball).

Idiom: from top to toe

Completely; from head to foot.

Idiom: on top of something

In control of it.

In addition to it.

Very close to it.

Idiom: on top of the world

In the very best of spirits.

Idiom: top the bill

To head the list of performers in a show, as the main attraction.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon.

Phrasal Verb: top something off

To put a finishing or decorative touch to it.

Phrasal Verb: top something out

To put the highest stone on (a building).

Phrasal Verb: top something or someone up

To refill (someone's glass or a container, etc) that has been partly emptied.To provide money to bring (a grant, wage or money supply, etc) to the required or desirable total.

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world
noun

1. The Earth.

Thesaurus: earth, globe, planet, terrestrial sphere.
2. The people inhabiting the Earth; humankind.

Example: tell the world
3. Any other planet or potentially habitable heavenly body.

Thesaurus: universe, cosmos, creation, nature.
4. Human affairs.

Example: the present state of the world
5. A group of countries characterized in a certain way.

Example: the Third World
Example: the New World
Form: World (also)
6. The people of a particular period, and their culture.

Example: the Ancient World
Form: World (also)
7. A state of existence.

Example: in this world or the next
8. Human existence, especially regarded as oppressive and materialistic, or as distinct from spiritual or intellectual life.

Example: escape from the world of today
Form: the world
9. Someone's individual way of life or range of experience.

Example: He's in a world of his own
Thesaurus: environment, atmosphere, milieu, reality, experience, inner life, memory.
10. An atmosphere or environment.

Example: enter a world of make-believe
11. A particular area of activity.

Example: the world of politics
12. A class of living things.

Example: the insect world
13. colloq
A great deal; a lot.
Example: did her a world of good
Example: We are worlds apart

adj

1. Relating to, affecting, or important throughout, the whole world.

Idiom: all the world and his wife

colloq
Everybody; a large number of people.

Idiom: be all the world to someone (mean all the world to someone)

To be important or precious to them.

Idiom: the best of both worlds

The benefits of both alternatives with the drawbacks of neither.

Idiom: bring someone into the world

To give birth to or deliver (a baby).

Idiom: come into the world

To be born.

Idiom: come up in the world (go up in the world, go down in the world)

To rise (or fall) in social status.

Idiom: for all the world as if ...

Exactly as if ...

Idiom: in the world

Used for emphasis.
Example: How in the world …?
Example: without a care in the world

Idiom: it's a small world

colloq
An indication of surprise or interest, etc at an unexpected and unlikely coincidence.

Idiom: not for the world

Not for anything.

Idiom: on top of the world

colloq
Supremely happy.
Thesaurus: exuberant, delighted, triumphant, happy, ecstatic, jubilant.

Idiom: out of this world

colloq
Extraordinarily fine; marvellous.
Thesaurus: extraordinary, excellent, remarkable, superb, fabulous, great, incredible, fantastic.

Idiom: the world is your etc oyster

The world and its opportunities all await you, etc.

Idiom: think the world of someone

To love or admire them immensely.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon weorold.