TOPSY-TURVY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does topsy-turvy mean? 

• TOPSY-TURVY (adjective)
  The adjective TOPSY-TURVY has 1 sense:

1. in utter disorder

  Familiarity information: TOPSY-TURVY used as an adjective is very rare.

• TOPSY-TURVY (adverb)
  The adverb TOPSY-TURVY has 2 senses:

1. in a disordered manner

2. in disorderly haste

  Familiarity information: TOPSY-TURVY used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TOPSY-TURVY (adjective)

Comparative: topsy-turvier   
Superlative: topsy-turviest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

In utter disorder

Synonyms:

disorderly; higgledy-piggledy; hugger-mugger; jumbled; topsy-turvy

Context example:

a disorderly pile of clothes

Similar:

untidy (not neat and tidy)

Derivation:

topsy-turvyness (a state of extreme confusion and disorder)

• TOPSY-TURVY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a disordered manner

Synonyms:

higgledy-piggledy; topsy-turvy

Context example:

they were piled up higgledy-piggledy

Sense 2

Meaning:

In disorderly haste

Synonyms:

head over heels; heels over head; in great confusion; topsy-turvily; topsy-turvy

Context example:

we ran head over heels toward the shelter

 Context examples 

“Scraps of the Russian Prince's nails. Prince Alphabet turned topsy-turvy, I call him, for his name's got all the letters in it, higgledy-piggledy.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"I saw something I liked this morning, and I meant to tell it at dinner, but I forgot," said Beth, putting Jo's topsy-turvy basket in order as she talked.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Happy at Moor House I was, and hard I worked; and so did Hannah: she was charmed to see how jovial I could be amidst the bustle of a house turned topsy-turvy—how I could brush, and dust, and clean, and cook.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I do not know what it rightly is to faint, but I do know that for the next little while the whole world swam away from before me in a whirling mist; Silver and the birds, and the tall Spy-glass hilltop, going round and round and topsy-turvy before my eyes, and all manner of bells ringing and distant voices shouting in my ear.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Before his facile perils and ready laugh, life was no longer an affair of serious effort and restraint, but a toy, to be played with and turned topsy-turvy, carelessly to be lived and pleasured in, and carelessly to be flung aside.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

, always 'perwisin' I could, said Jo, as she constructed a kite for Demi in the topsy-turvy nursery.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

This was when I chanced to see the third-storey staircase door (which of late had always been kept locked) open slowly, and give passage to the form of Grace Poole, in prim cap, white apron, and handkerchief; when I watched her glide along the gallery, her quiet tread muffled in a list slipper; when I saw her look into the bustling, topsy-turvy bedrooms,—just say a word, perhaps, to the charwoman about the proper way to polish a grate, or clean a marble mantelpiece, or take stains from papered walls, and then pass on.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Aunt Dodo was chief playmate and confidante of both children, and the trio turned the little house topsy-turvy.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

It was silly, I dare say, but it changed his mind, for I got rather excited, and told the story in my topsy-turvy way, and his wife heard, and said so kindly, 'Take it, Thomas, and oblige the young lady. I'd do as much for our Jimmy any day if I had a spire of hair worth selling.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Beth began by rummaging everything out of the big closet where her family resided, but getting tired before half done, she left her establishment topsy-turvy and went to her music, rejoicing that she had no dishes to wash.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)