top-selling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "top-selling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a product or item that has achieved the highest sales figures within a specific category or market. Example: "The top-selling novel of the year has captivated readers around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It remains the company's top-selling drug.

The New Yorker

It was once Merck's top-selling product.

The New York Times

The top-selling book of the decade?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tova Signature is QVC's top-selling perfume.

The New York Times

Amazon's lists of the top-selling electronics, top-selling books, or top-selling electronic books, each with subcategories, tell us what to buy.

The New York Times

Explorers in fact remained a top-selling vehicle.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, they were the top-selling toys on Amazon.com.

The New York Times

has produced a number of top-selling recording artists.

Britannica

On Thursday, it was the top-selling book on Amazon.com.

The New York Times

His No. 24 became a top-selling replica jersey.

The New York Times - Sports

Toyen is now the top-selling modern Czech artist.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "top-selling", ensure you're comparing within a specific category or timeframe to provide context. For example, "top-selling car of 2024" or "top-selling book in the science fiction genre."

Common error

Avoid using "top-selling" without specifying the category or timeframe. Saying something is "top-selling" without context can be misleading if it's only the top seller within a very niche market or a limited time period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "top-selling" functions as a compound adjective used to describe a noun. It modifies the noun by indicating that it achieves the highest sales figures within its category. Ludwig examples show it applied to diverse nouns, such as 'drug', 'book', 'vehicle' etc.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

15%

Forbes

9%

Less common in

Huffington Post

5%

Los Angeles Times

5%

Britannica

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "top-selling" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that has the highest sales within its category. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase appears across varied sources, including news, science, and encyclopedias, indicating its versatility. The phrase is generally used in a neutral register and serves the purpose of informing readers about the popularity of an item. When using "top-selling", it's crucial to provide context by specifying the category or timeframe to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "best-selling", "most popular", or "market-leading" to diversify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Best-selling

Replaces "top" with "best", maintaining the core meaning of highest sales.

Highest-selling

Emphasizes the sales figure being the highest, instead of just being at the top.

Sells the most

A more descriptive alternative that directly states the item has the highest sales volume.

Market-leading

Highlights market dominance, suggesting a strong position in the industry.

Most popular

Shifts focus from sales to general popularity, implying a broader appeal.

Hot-selling

Conveys a sense of current popularity and high demand.

Leading

Indicates that the product or item is ahead of competitors in terms of sales.

Number one

Uses a numerical ranking to indicate the top position in sales.

Chart-topping

Specifically refers to music or media that reaches the top of sales charts.

Top-rated

Focuses on user reviews and ratings rather than just sales figures.

FAQs

How can I use "top-selling" in a sentence?

You can use "top-selling" to describe a product or item that has the highest sales in a specific category. For example, "This year's "top-selling novel" is a thrilling mystery."

What's the difference between "top-selling" and "best-selling"?

"Top-selling" and "best-selling" are often used interchangeably, but "best-selling" might imply a longer period of consistent high sales, while "top-selling" could refer to a more recent or shorter period of high sales.

What are some alternatives to "top-selling"?

Some alternatives to "top-selling" include "most popular", "leading", "highest-selling", or "market-leading", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "top-selling" as a noun?

While "top-selling" is primarily used as an adjective, it can function as a noun in certain contexts. For example, "This product is a "top seller"", is more commonly used than "This product is a top-selling."