- 1[countable, usually singular] bottom (of something) the lowest part of something Footnotes are given at the bottom of each page. The wind blew through cracks at the top and bottom of the door. I waited for them at the bottom of the hill. The book I want is right at the bottom (= of the pile). opposite top
- 2[countable, usually singular] bottom (of something) the part of something that faces downward and is not usually seen The manufacturer's name is on the bottom of the plate.
- 3[countable, usually singular] bottom (of something) the lowest surface on the inside of a container I found some coins at the bottom of my bag. Allow the tea leaves to settle to the bottom of the cup. of river/pool
- 4[singular] the ground below the water in a lake, river, swimming pool, etc. He dived in and hit his head on the bottom. I feel safe as long as I can touch the bottom. lowest position
- 5[singular] bottom (of something) the lowest position in a class, on a list, etc.; a person, team, etc. that is in this position a battle between the teams at the bottom of the league You have to be prepared to start at the bottom and work your way up. I was always at the bottom of the class in math. opposite top part of body
- 6[countable] the part of the body that you sit on synonym backside, behind clothing
- 7[countable, usually plural] the lower part of a set of clothes that consists of two pieces pajama/bikini bottoms tops and bottoms compare top
- 8[countable] the lower part of a ship that is below the surface of the water synonym hull -bottomed
- 9(in adjectives) having the type of bottom mentioned a flat-bottomed boat Thesaurusbottom
- base
- foundation
- foot
- bottom [usually sing.] the lowest part of something:Footnotes are given at the bottom of each page. I waited for them at the bottom of the hill.
- base [usually sing.] the lowest part of something, especially the part or surface on which it rests or stands:The lamp has a heavy base.
- foundation [usually pl.] a layer of bricks, concrete, etc. that forms the solid underground base of a building:to lay the foundations of the new school
- foot [sing.] the lowest part of something:She waited for him at the foot of the stairs.
- Foot is used to talk about a limited number of things: it is used most often with tree, hill/mountain, steps/stairs, and page. Bottom can be used to talk about a much wider range of things, including those mentioned above for foot.
- at/near/toward the bottom/base/foot of something
- on the bottom/base of something
- (a) firm/solid/strong base/foundation(s)
- 1to reach the ground at the bottom of an area of water I put my feet down and touched bottom.
- 2to reach the worst possible state or condition Her career really touched bottom with that movie.
lowest part
used to say what someone or something is really like Their offer to help was, at bottom, self-centered.
high up/low down in the structure of an organization or a society These workers are at the bottom of the economic heap.
to be the original cause of something, especially something unpleasant We need to find out what's at the bottom of these fears.
people stop buying or using the products of a particular industry The bottom has fallen out of the travel market.
in the least/most important position in a group of people or things It's been 20 years since an American player was top of the pile.
used to express good wishes when drinking alcohol, or to tell someone to finish their drink
in a way that is sincere I beg you, from the bottom of my heart, to spare his life. It was clearly an offer that came from the heart.
going to every part of a place in a very thorough way We cleaned the house from top to bottom.
to find out the real cause of something, especially something unpleasant I won't rest until I get to the bottom of this!
to have to use whatever things or people you can get, because there is not much choice available
Check pronunciation: bottom