Bottom Meaning

UK /ˈbɒtəm/
US /ˈbɑːtəm/
Word Definition
bottom meaning

Bottom Definition & Usage

noun

The lowest part or surface of something.

Examples

  • "She found a shell at the bottom of the beach."
  • "The bottom of the box was filled with shredded paper."
  • "There is a small crack at the bottom of the door."
  • "The kids jumped straight to the bottom of the pool."
  • "You’ll need to clean the bottom of the fridge; it’s really dusty."
noun

A situation or state of being at the lowest point, either in terms of quality, status, or condition.

Examples

  • "The economy is at rock bottom right now."
  • "I’ve hit bottom in my career; I don’t know where to go from here."
  • "After the accident, he was at the bottom of his life."
  • "She felt like she was at the bottom of the social ladder."
  • "The team's performance this season has been at its bottom point."
noun

The lowest point of a body of water, such as the ocean or a river, or the base of a geographic feature.

Examples

  • "The divers descended to the bottom of the sea."
  • "They were exploring the bottom of the canyon."
  • "At the bottom of the lake, they found ancient artifacts."
  • "The bottom of the river was covered in mud and silt."
  • "We reached the bottom of the mountain after a long hike."
verb

To place something at the bottom of a container, surface, or location.

Examples

  • "She bottomed the basket with a layer of soft cloth."
  • "He bottomed the pot with gravel for better drainage."
  • "The gardener bottomed the flowerpot with stones."
  • "They bottomed the tray with wax paper to prevent sticking."
  • "I need to bottom the cake pan before pouring in the batter."
adjective

Relating to or located at the bottom, or lowest part.

Examples

  • "The bottom drawer of the cabinet is where I keep my files."
  • "She looked at the bottom shelf of the bookcase for the old novel."
  • "I found my keys at the bottom of my bag."
  • "The bottom step of the staircase is creaky."
  • "We stored the paint cans in the bottom corner of the garage."

Cultural Context

The word 'bottom' has a long history in the English language, appearing in both literal and figurative contexts. It can refer to a physical location, like the bottom of a container or body of water, and also to metaphorical meanings like 'rock bottom' or being in a low point emotionally or financially. It is commonly used in everyday language to describe a wide range of positions, whether physical, emotional, or social.

At the Bottom of the World

Story

At the Bottom of the World

In the small seaside town of Clearwater, everyone knew about the legend of the 'bottomless' lake. But for Emma, a young journalist with a nose for adventure, the idea of a bottomless lake was a challenge, not a myth. Armed with only her camera and notebook, she set out to investigate, determined to uncover the truth. Along the way, she encountered locals who spoke in whispers, unsure whether it was safe to go near the lake at all. Her first stop was the old fisherman, Mr. Green, who lived at the edge of the lake. 'The bottom of that lake has always been a mystery,' he told her, his voice gruff. 'Some say it's so deep that no one's ever found the true bottom.' Despite the warnings, Emma pressed on. She found a small boat and rowed into the middle of the lake, where the water grew colder and darker the deeper she went. 'This is the bottom,' she thought to herself, shivering as she peered into the murky water. But as she looked deeper, something caught her eye—a glimmer of light. She dived in without hesitation, swimming toward the source. At the bottom of the lake, she found not just a deep void, but an ancient stone structure, hidden for centuries. As she emerged, Emma realized the bottom of the lake wasn’t just a geographical feature—it was a metaphor for her own journey. For years, she had felt as though she was at the bottom of her career, stuck and unsure of how to move forward. But now, discovering the hidden truth at the bottom of the lake had opened her eyes to new possibilities in her work and life. In the end, Emma returned to the surface, both literally and figuratively, with a story that would change her life. The bottom, it turned out, was not the end but a place from which new beginnings could spring.

At the Bottom of the World