Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Highest in place, position, or rank: Located at the top or being the most elevated.
   • Most prominent or important: Foremost in consideration, priority, or thought.

2. Adverb:

   • In the highest position or place: So as to be at the top.
   • With the greatest prominence or priority: So as to be most immediate or significant.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The uppermost shelf is too high for me to reach.
  • Safety was the uppermost concern during the expedition.

• Adverb:

  • She placed the trophy uppermost on the display cabinet.
  • When asked for his opinion, he said what came uppermost to his mind.

Advanced Usage

• "to be uppermost in one's mind": to be the most prominent or immediate thought.

  • The question of funding was uppermost in the committee's mind.

• "uppermost layer": the topmost stratum or level.

  • The uppermost layer of soil is the most fertile.

Variants and Related Words

• Upmost (adjective): A less common variant meaning highest or foremost. It is often used interchangeably with "uppermost" but is sometimes considered an alteration.
  • He gave the matter his upmost attention.

Synonyms

• Topmost: Highest in position.
• Foremost: Most prominent in rank or importance.
• Highest: Of the greatest vertical elevation or rank.
• Supreme: Highest in authority, rank, or importance.

Related Phrases

• Come uppermost: To become the most immediate or prominent thought.
  • A memory from childhood came uppermost as she smelled the flowers.

Idioms

• Uppermost in one's thoughts: Being the primary thing one is thinking about.
  • The welfare of her family was always uppermost in her thoughts.

Adjective

1. at or nearest to the top
   • the uppermost book in the pile
   • on the topmost step

Adverb

1. in or into the highest position
   • the blade turned uppermost
2. in or into the most prominent position, as in the mind
   • say what comes uppermost