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Meaning & use

top rider

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌtɒp ˈraɪdə/
US/ˌtɑːp ˈraɪdər/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A rider who is among the best in their sport, especially in horse racing or cycling.

    Grammar: Countable: a top rider, two top riders, the top rider in the field.

    Patterns

    • a top rider in something
    • one of the top riders
    • the top rider in the world

    She became a top rider in show jumping before she turned twenty.

    The team signed a top rider from Belgium for the new season.

    Every top rider in the race knows how to read the wind and the road.

  2. nounsingular

    The person riding best on a particular day or in a particular race.

    Grammar: Usually used with 'the': the top rider on the day.

    Patterns

    • the top rider on the day
    • the top rider in the race

    The top rider on the day was a teenager from a small local club.

    After the final climb, he was clearly the top rider in the race.

Word forms

pluraltop riders

Common combinations

a top rider in the world
For years he was ranked a top rider in the world.
one of the top riders
She is one of the top riders on the national circuit.
a top rider for a team
He rides as a top rider for a French team.
the top rider on the day
The top rider on the day took home the trophy.
sign a top rider
The club hopes to sign a top rider before the season starts.

Synonyms and how they differ

champion rider
Suggests someone who has actually won a major title, while 'top rider' can simply mean high quality or high ranking.
leading rider
Focuses on being first in a ranking or standings, whereas 'top rider' is a looser judgment of skill.
ace rider
More informal and dramatic, often used in headlines; 'top rider' is more neutral.

Opposites

amateur ridernovice rider

Word family

ride verb
To sit on and control a horse, bicycle, or motorcycle.
rider noun
A person who rides a horse, bicycle, or motorcycle.
riding noun
The activity or sport of sitting on and controlling a horse or bicycle.

Commonly confused: top rider or top-rated? top rider or top ride?

top rider vs top-rated

'Top-rated' means judged to be of the highest quality, often in reviews; 'top rider' refers to a person who rides.

top rider vs top ride

'Top ride' is informal for a very good vehicle or a pleasant journey, not a person.

Practice

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