| / English Dictionary |
TOPSY-TURVY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
In utter disorder
Example:
a disorderly pile of clothes
Synonyms:
disorderly; higgledy-piggledy; hugger-mugger; jumbled; topsy-turvy
Classified under:
Similar:
untidy (not neat and tidy)
Derivation:
topsy-turvyness (a state of extreme confusion and disorder)
II. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
In disorderly haste
Example:
we ran head over heels toward the shelter
Synonyms:
head over heels; heels over head; in great confusion; topsy-turvily; topsy-turvy
Classified under:
Sense 2
Meaning:
In a disordered manner
Example:
they were piled up higgledy-piggledy
Synonyms:
higgledy-piggledy; topsy-turvy
Classified under:
Context examples:
I've a special interest in such young bears, and like to show them that I see the warm, honest, well-meaning boys' hearts, in spite of the clumsy arms and legs and the topsy-turvy heads.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
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