top-tier

[ top-teer ]

adjective

1. of or among the highest rank, level, importance, or quality:

   It was again named the top-tier exterior house paint.

   She was sought after by three top-tier college basketball teams.

Word History and Origins

Origin of top-tier¹

First recorded in 1940–45; top ¹( def ) + tier ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Last year the smart money was always on RPG Baldur's Gate 3 to be named Game of the Year, but 2024 hasn't had the same number of top-tier releases.

From BBC

“We were underdogs coming from America playing against these top-tier European teams,” Friedman said.

From Los Angeles Times

“Ethan’s a top-tier quarterback if we can just keep him up,” Foster said, “and that’s one thing our O-line has been doing, they’ve been protecting him well.”

From Los Angeles Times

Nima Rinji said he wants to prove to younger generation of Sherpas that they can "rise above the stereotype of being only support climbers and embrace their potential as top-tier athletes, adventurers, and creators".

From BBC

The Cardinals are 2-0 in the division, but they’re 2-3 overall, and — though they throttled the Rams — don’t have the look of a top-tier contender.

From Los Angeles Times