1 A2 neutral
To add more liquid to a container or glass to bring it back to a full level.
"She topped up her glass of water before sitting down for the meeting."
separable
top up
A2 neutral separable transitive
To add more of something to bring it back to a full or satisfactory level.
In plain English
To add a little more so something is full again.
What does "top up" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To add credit or money to a phone, account, or card that is running low.
"I need to top up my phone before we leave — I've only got 10p left."
separable
3 B1 neutral
To add money regularly to a savings, pension, or investment fund.
"Financial advisers recommend topping up your pension contributions whenever you receive a pay rise."
separable
4 B1 neutral
To replenish a supply of something that has been partially used.
"The nurse topped up the patient's IV drip every few hours."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To add liquid to the top of a container.
Actually means
To add a little more so something is full again.
Usage tip
Very common in British English in everyday contexts: topping up a drink, a mobile phone credit balance, a pension fund, or a car's oil. In British restaurants, waiters commonly offer to 'top up' your glass. Also used in finance for regular payments into a savings or pension account.
Words that pair with "top up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
glass account phone tank pension credit
How to conjugate "top up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
top up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tops up
he/she/it
Past simple
toped up
yesterday
Past participle
toped up
have + pp
-ing form
toping up
continuous
Hear "top up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "top up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "top up"
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Keep exploring
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