Meaning & use

topsy-turvy

adjective·Academic

In a state of complete disorder or confusion; turned upside down.

See it in a sentence

After the storm, the whole neighborhood looked topsy-turvy, with fences and furniture scattered everywhere.

Her schedule went topsy-turvy the moment the new baby arrived.

A note on using this word

Topsy-turvy can describe literal physical disorder or a figurative sense that normal rules or expectations have been reversed.

Words with a similar meaning

chaoticdisordered

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

orderlyorganized

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