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

adverb

1. in a topsy-turvy manner

noun

1. a topsy-turvy state

Other Words From

• topsy-turvi·ly adverb
• topsy·turvi·ness noun

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

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

Example Sentences

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chaotic
• confused
• disarranged
• disorderly