Standard Lemma guide

topspin

noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A rotational motion, especially that given to a ball, in which the upper surface spins in the direction of motion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • The tennis star was famed for her topspin.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An edgy, quirky or otherwise engaging quality that holds the interest of the audience.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: broadcasting, film, media, publishing, television

Examples

  • 2016, Quentin Letts, "A Very English Scandal: sex, lies and a murder plot at the heart of the establishment by John Preston - review" (in Evening Standard, 28 April 2016) https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/books/a-very-english-scandal-sex-lies-and-a-murder-plot-at-the-heart-of-the-establishment-by-john-preston-a3236271.html This fluent, readable book has certainly been polished with a fair degree of what Fleet Street feature editors once called topspin: “Give it some topspin, old boy. Make the copy sing.” In this John Preston more than succeeds.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To spin (a ball) with this motion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

forward spin (usually of a moving ball) that is imparted by an upward stroke

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: spin

History

Etymology

From top + spin.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: efecte de rodolament — type of spin
  • Chinese Cantonese: 上旋 (soeng6 syun4) — type of spin
  • Chinese Mandarin: 上旋 (shàngxuán) — type of spin
  • Finnish: yläkierre — type of spin
  • German: Vorwärtsdrall — type of spin
  • Spanish: ajuaishte — type of spin