Topsy-turvy Definition
tŏpsē-tûrvē
topsy turvies, topsy-turviest, topsy-turvier
adverb
Upside down; in a reversed condition.
Webster's New World
With the top downward and the bottom up; upside-down.
American Heritage
In confusion or disorder.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- higgledy-piggledy
- in great confusion
- topsy-turvily
- heels over head
- head-over-heels
- upturned
- upside-down
- reversed
- on-end
- jumbled
- inverted
- disorganized
- disordered
- confused
- cockeyed
adjective
topsy-turvier, topsy-turviest
Turned or positioned upside down; inverted.
American Heritage
Confused or disordered.
American Heritage
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
noun
A topsy-turvy condition; inverted state.
Webster's New World
A state of confusion.
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Topsy-turvy
Noun
Singular:
topsy-turvyPlural:
topsy turviesAdjective
Base Form:
topsy-turvy
Comparative:
topsy-turvierSuperlative:
topsy-turviestOrigin of Topsy-turvy
-
Earlier topside-turvey, topsy-tervy; probably for top so turvy; that is, the top as turvy, as it were turvy, where turvy probably means "overturned", from Anglo-Saxon torfian to throw.
From Wiktionary
Probably from top obsolete terve to overturn (from Middle English terven)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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