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

The pair traded more breaks in a topsy-turvy set, in which seven of the first eight opening games featured break points.

From BBC

A topsy-turvy game was turned upside down at its halfway point as the Dodgers exploited Yankees fielding errors in the top of the fifth inning to level the scores.

From BBC

The upshot of an eventful, topsy-turvy encounter at Emirates Stadium is that it is advantage City.

From BBC

It's been a topsy-turvy start - but what kind of government is this really turning out to be?

From BBC

In the topsy-turvy world of the radicalized right, a willingness to publish Hitler memes has a legitimizing power.

From Salon

Related Words

• chaotic
• confused
• disarranged
• disorderly