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Added 10 October 2026

topsy-turvy

/ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/ adverb

adverb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about topsy-turvy at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Backwards or upside down; also, having been overturned or upset.
Not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner; chaotically.

adjective

Backwards or upside down.
Chaotic; disorderly.

noun

An act of turning something backwards or upside down, or the situation that something is in after this has happened.
A situation where the natural order of things has been upset.
Chaos, confusion, disorder.

verb

To turn topsy-turvy or upside down; to invert.
To throw into chaos or disorder; to upset.

Origin

The origin of the adverb and adjective are uncertain. Topsy is probably derived from top or tops, though this does not explain the -sy ending; it has been suggested that the latter comes from so (thus, top so) or from top-set or top-side, modified to match the -y ending of turvy.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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