topsoil
gb/tˈɑpsˌɔɪl/ us/tˈɑpsˌɔɪl/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
Upper fertile layer of soil
The top layer of earth that plants usually grow in.
Usage pattern:
[uncountable]; a layer of topsoil; [amount] of topsoil
Common mistake:
Do not use topsoil for all earth or dirt; it specifically means the surface layer of soil.
Synonyms
surface soil (More descriptive and slightly more technical; emphasizes position rather than fertility.)
|
loam (Refers to a type of fertile soil, not necessarily the top layer.)
Antonyms
subsoil (The layer of soil below the topsoil.)
Collocations
fertile topsoil
|rich topsoil
|thin topsoil
|a layer of topsoil
|topsoil erosion
|remove topsoil
|strip away topsoil
|add topsoil
|spread topsoil
|lose topsoil
Themes
gardening
|agriculture
|environment
|land
|soil
Examples
- Heavy rain washed away the topsoil from the hillside.
- Before planting the lawn, they spread fresh topsoil over the yard.
- Healthy topsoil contains organic matter, minerals, water, and many small organisms.
Learner examples
- Plants grow well in good topsoil.
- The farmer lost topsoil after the storm.
Grammar
Dictionary form
topsoil
IPA
GB/tˈɑpsˌɔɪl/
US/tˈɑpsˌɔɪl/
Syllables & stress
top - soil (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (top)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: topsoil
- Plural: topsoil, topsoils
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.