top dollar

noun

: the highest amount being paid for a commodity or service
… willing to pay top dollar to get them …—Dean Failey

Examples of top dollar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But not every doll will sell for top dollar. — Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026 Getting a company ready to sell means turning your business into something a stranger can inspect, trust, run, and pay top dollar for, without you in the room. — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Why pay top dollar, or any dollar, for a festival film when data shows that their customers are even happier to watch an old TV show? — Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 19 June 2026 Alessandro Bastoni has had a 2026 to forget — but our experts still think the Inter man is worth top dollar. — Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for top dollar

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of top dollar was in 1895

Rhymes for top dollar

See All Rhymes for top dollar

Browse Nearby Words

top dog
top dollar
top-down
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Top dollar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top%20dollar. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

top dollar

noun
: the highest amount being paid for an article, product, or service
paid top dollar for the tickets
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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