1 C1 formal
(Formal/archaic) To be based or founded on a particular principle, evidence, or premise.
"The court's decision bottoms on the established principle that no one may profit from their own wrongdoing."
inseparable
bottom on
C1 formal inseparable transitive
To be based or founded on something; to have something as the fundamental premise or foundation.
In plain English
To have something as the basic reason or foundation that everything else depends on.
What does "bottom on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
(Nautical) Of a vessel, to make contact with the seabed; to run aground.
"In low tide, the shallow-draft boat bottomed on the sandbar near the harbour mouth."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To have one's bottom (lowest point or foundation) resting on something — to be grounded in a particular base.
Actually means
To have something as the basic reason or foundation that everything else depends on.
Usage tip
Rare and formal; found mainly in legal, philosophical, and academic writing. 'Bottom on' is used in the same sense as 'be based on' or 'rest on', but has an archaic or highly formal feel. Most contemporary writers would use 'based on' or 'founded on'. May also appear in nautical contexts where a vessel 'bottoms on' the seabed (i.e., its hull touches the bottom).
Words that pair with "bottom on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
principle evidence fact premise law seabed
How to conjugate "bottom on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bottom on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bottoms on
he/she/it
Past simple
bottomed on
yesterday
Past participle
bottomed on
have + pp
-ing form
bottoming on
continuous
Hear "bottom on" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bottom on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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