Sekirov Dictionary

topsy-turvy

UK /ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/US /ˌtɑpsiˈtɚvi/

noun 3
adjective 2
adverb 2
verb 2
forms 10

noun3

•
An act of turning something backwards or upside down, or the situation that something is in after this has happened.
- Perhaps he was at a loss for the points of compass, as is often the case in tumbles and topsy-turvies. — 1850
(figurative) A situation where the natural order of things has been upset.
(figurative) Chaos, confusion, disorder.

adjective2

•
Backwards or upside down.
- If I travel Aunt, I touch at your Antipodes—your Antipodes are a good rascally sort of topsy turvy Fellows—If I had a Bumper I'd stand upon my Head and drink a Health to ’em— [...] — 1700
•
(figurative) Chaotic; disorderly.
- [John] Chrysostom saith, An Oath came in when Evils increased, when men appeared unfaithful, when all things became Topsy Turvy. — 1675

adverb2

•
Backwards or upside down; also, having been overturned or upset.
- Thou toyl'st in perrill, and the vvindie storme, / Doth topside-turuey tosse thee as thou flotest. — 1594
(figurative) Not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner; chaotically.

verb2

To turn topsy-turvy or upside down; to invert.
•
(figurative) To throw into chaos or disorder; to upset.
- Has not a diluent expletive been interjected to fill up a line? has not a plain proposition been topsy-turvied, till subject and object are miserably confused, because of accent? — 1858

forms

topsy-turvied · topsy-turvyed · topsy-turvying · topsy-turvies · topsy-turvys · topsy turvies · more topsy-turvy · topsy-turvier · most topsy-turvy · topsy-turviest

This dictionary works without the internet: on your phone · in Chrome