Meanings
plural top notes
- perfumeryThe most volatile parts of a perfume which are immediately perceived upon its application.
In those days I didn't buy perfumes, and initially thought Chamade was two fragrances: I would smell the drydown on passers-by and find it wonderful, but it took me months to connect it to the nondescript floral green top note.
2010, Luca Turin, Tania Sanchez, “Chamade”, in Perfumes: The A–Z Guide, Profile Books, →ISBN, page 115Synonyms: head note
- entertainmentThe highest note that can be produced by a certain instrument or singer.
- broadlyThe best that a person can do; one's finest achievement.
"If you all want to see it through I am with you. It's dooced interestin', and no mistake about that. I've had my share of adventures in my life, and as many thrills as most folk, but I'm endin' on my top note."
1913, Arthur Conan Doyle, “Submerged”, in The Poison Belt […], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC, page 98
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe most volatile parts of a perfume which are immediately perceived upon its application.
Translations
Finnish latvatuoksu, alkutuoksu
- latvatuoksuThe most volatile parts of a perfume which are immediately perceived upon its application.
- alkutuoksuThe most volatile parts of a perfume which are immediately perceived upon its application.
French tête, note de tête
- têteThe most volatile parts of a perfume which are immediately perceived upon its application.
- note de têteThe most volatile parts of a perfume which are immediately perceived upon its application.
German Kopfnote, Spitze
- KopfnoteThe most volatile parts of a perfume which are immediately perceived upon its application.
- SpitzeThe most volatile parts of a perfume which are immediately perceived upon its application.
- AngeruchThe most volatile parts of a perfume which are immediately perceived upon its application.
- TeteThe most volatile parts of a perfume which are immediately perceived upon its application.
Polish nuta głowy
- nuta głowyThe most volatile parts of a perfume which are immediately perceived upon its application.
Swedish toppnot
- toppnotThe most volatile parts of a perfume which are immediately perceived upon its application.
Cite this entry
top note. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/top%20note
“top note.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/top%20note. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “top note,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/top%20note.
Source: top note on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.