Meaning & use
countertops
Last updated
“countertops” is a form of “countertop”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nouncountableAmerican
the flat surface on top of a base unit in a kitchen or bathroom, used for preparing food or keeping things
Grammar: Countable; usually used in the plural when talking about more than one, but can be singular: a countertop.
Patterns
- kitchen countertops
- granite countertops
- clean the countertops
She wiped the countertops after cooking dinner.
The new apartment has beautiful marble countertops in the kitchen.
We need to replace the old countertops with something more durable.
Word forms
| singular | countertop |
|---|
Common combinations
- granite countertops
- Granite countertops are popular because they are hard and heat-resistant.
- kitchen countertops
- The kitchen countertops were cluttered with dirty dishes.
- wipe down the countertops
- Please wipe down the countertops before you leave.
- marble countertops
- Marble countertops look elegant but can stain easily.
Synonyms and how they differ
- worktop
- The usual British word for the same thing; in American English, 'countertop' is standard.
- counter
- A shorter, more general word for a flat surface in a shop or kitchen; 'countertop' specifically means the surface on top of cabinets.
Word family
- countertop noun
- singular form of the same word
Commonly confused: countertops or counter?
countertops vs counter
A counter can be a long table in a shop or a small disc used in games; a countertop is specifically the work surface in a kitchen or bathroom.
Practice
In British English, the flat surface in a kitchen is usually called a ______.
Choose one answer.
In British English, 'worktop' is the standard term for the kitchen surface. 'Countertop' is mainly American. 'Tabletop' is the surface of a table, and 'desktop' is the top of a desk or a computer screen area.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “countertops”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.