top-notchn.adj.
/ˌtɒpˈnɒtʃ/, U.S. /ˌtɑpˈnɑtʃ/ colloquial (originally U.S.).
A. n.
As two words. With the. The highest point or level attainable; the highest category or bracket.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > [noun] > state of or advanced condition > highest point
prickOE
heighta1050
full1340
higha1398
pointc1400
roofa1500
top-castle1548
ruff1549
acmea1568
tip1567
noontide1578
high tide1579
superlative1583
summity1588
spring tide1593
meridian1594
period1595
apogee1600
punctilio1601
high-water mark1602
noon1609
zenith1610
auge1611
apex1624
culmination1633
cumble1640
culmen1646
climax1647
topc1650
cumulus1659
summit1661
perigeum1670
highest1688
consummation1698
stretch1741
high point1787
perihelion1804
summary1831
comble1832
heading up1857
climacteric1870
flashpoint1878
tip-end1885
peak1902
noontime1903
Omega point1981
1808 Farmer's Cabinet (Amherst, New Hampsh.) 1 Nov. The Top Notch of Modern Republicanism.
1875 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 17 June The enthusiasm, which all along had been at the top notch of expectation and hope, rose to fever heat.
1886 ‘S. Luska’ Mrs Peixada iii. 47 She was right up to the top notch that evening—devilish handsome, with her black eyes and high color.
1969 Deb. Transkei Legislative Assembly 145/2 Here is a man who has been at the top notch under the old scale for three or four years.
2019 Wagga Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, Austral.) (Nexis) 21 June He's up there in the top notch of horses I've had.
B. adj.
Of the highest quality; excellent, first-rate.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective] > very excellent or first-rate
gildenc1225
prime1402
rare1483
grand1542
holy1599
pre-excelling1600
paregal1602
classic1604
of (the) first rate1650
solary1651
first rate1674
superb1720
tip-top1722
tip-top-gallant1730
swell1819
topping1822
of the first (also finest, best, etc.) water1826
No. 11829
brag1836
A11837
A No. 11838
number one1839
awful1843
bully1851
first class1852
class1867
champion1880
too1881
tipping1887
alpha plus1898
bonzer1898
grade A1911
gold star1917
world-ranking1921
five-star1936
too much1937
first line1938
vintage1939
supercolossal1947
top1953
alpha1958
fantabulous1959
beauty1963
supercool1965
world-class1967
primo1973
1869 Congregationalist & Boston Recorder 18 Feb. 53/6 The very best, top-notch, choice Oxen sold at $14 per cwt.
1910 J. K. Bangs Pursuit of House-boat iii. 51 My seamanship, which was top-notch for my day.
1935 Hot News June 4/2 Fats has waxed several piano solos that constitute topnotch swing stuff.
1984 A. Smith in G. Ursell More Saskatchewan Gold i. i. 8 Dan was a top-notch carpenter.
2014 Edmonton (Alberta) Jrnl. (Nexis) 13 Dec. e2 When we play each other, the lacrosse is phenomenal. The quality of the game is top-notch in every aspect.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2022).
<
n.adj.1808