tope

1 of 3

verb

ˈtōp How to pronounce tope (audio)
toped; toping

intransitive verb

: to drink liquor to excess

tope

2 of 3

noun (1)

: a small slender cosmopolitan shark (Galeorhinus galeus) valued for its flesh, fins, and oil-rich liver

tope

3 of 3

noun (2)

: stupa

Examples of tope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Verb
Photo : Simon Berlyn The kitchen is spotlighted by an eat-in island toped with Blue Louise stone. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

obsolete English tope, interjection used to wish good health before drinking

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Noun (2)

perhaps from Punjabi ṭop hat

First Known Use

Verb

1654, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1686, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tope was in 1654

Rhymes for tope

See All Rhymes for tope

Browse Nearby Words

top-dye
tope
topee
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tope. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tope

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tope

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