What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tops
Example
The mountain peak is at the tops of the clouds. [tops: noun]
Example
The team is at the tops of their game this season. [tops: adverb]
Example
Both candidates are tops in their field. [tops: adjective]
zenith
Example
The sun reaches its zenith at noon. [zenith: noun]
Example
The company's success reached its zenith with record profits last year. [zenith: noun]
Example
Her career was at its zenith when she won the award. [zenith: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tops is more commonly used than zenith in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts. Zenith is less common and more formal, often used in technical or specialized fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tops and zenith?
Zenith is more formal than tops and is typically used in academic, scientific, or technical contexts. Tops is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.