FluencyCraft

bottom

"Bottom" is a very common English word with several useful meanings. Most of the time it refers to the lowest part of something, but it also works as a verb and an adjective — and in informal speech, it can refer to a part of the body. Here are the most important senses to know.

1nounlowest part

The bottom is the lowest point or surface of something. Think of a glass of water — the flat part it sits on, and the inside floor of the glass, are both 'the bottom'. It is the opposite of 'top'.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

There was a crack at the bottom of the wall.

She found her keys at the bottom of her bag.

The treasure was hidden at the bottom of the lake.

2nounend of a list, page, or ranking

When something is at the 'bottom' of a list, a page, or a ranking, it means it is last or lowest in that order. If you are at the bottom of your class, you have the lowest grades.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

Please sign your name at the bottom of the page.

Their team finished at the bottom of the league this season.

The most important task is at the bottom of the list, but don't forget it!

3adjectivelowest in position or rank

When you use 'bottom' before a noun, it describes something that is in the lowest position or the least important level. It works like the adjective form of the noun sense.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

Put the books on the bottom shelf.

He started in a bottom-level position at the company.

The answer is in the bottom drawer of the desk.

4nounthe ground under water

The bottom can refer to the ground or floor beneath a body of water, like a river, sea, or swimming pool. Imagine looking down through clear water — what you see at the very end is 'the bottom'.

everyday language / nature · Modern, widely used

The boat sank to the bottom of the ocean.

He could see colorful fish near the bottom of the pool.

The river bottom was covered in smooth stones.

5verbfigurativeto bottom out (reach the lowest point)

As a verb, 'bottom' is almost always used in the phrase 'bottom out'. It means to reach the lowest possible point before things start to improve again. You will often hear this in business or economic news.

business / everyday language · Modern, widely used · figurative

Experts say house prices have bottomed out and will rise soon.

His confidence bottomed out after the failed exam, but he recovered quickly.

The economy bottomed out last year and is now growing again.

6nounthe buttocks (informal)

In informal, everyday speech, 'bottom' is a polite way to refer to the part of the body you sit on — the buttocks. It is considered a mild, child-friendly word in British English especially.

informal / everyday language · Modern, widely used

The child slipped and fell on her bottom.

He sat down and felt something hard under his bottom.

Content generated by AI — may contain inaccuracies