верхи́

rare #44639

nounmasculineinanimateuncountableplural-only noun

1.
upper strata, upper classes, elite, top ranks
Верхи́ о́бщества не хоте́ли переме́н.
The upper classes did not want any changes.
Plural only in this meaning.
2.
summit, top level, highest echelonspolitics
В Жене́ве прошла́ встре́ча в верха́х.
A summit meeting was held in Geneva.
Chiefly in 'встреча в верхах' (summit meeting) and 'переговоры в верхах' (top-level talks).
3.
(rare) surface knowledge, superficialities, veneer
Он зна́ет то́лько верхи́, а не сам предме́т.
He knows only the surface of it, not the subject itself.
Figurative; often in 'хватать верхи' (pick up only the basics).

Examples

Верхи общества живут совсем иначе, чем простые люди.
The upper strata of society live quite differently from ordinary people.
Решения принимают только верхи власти.
Only those at the top of the government make the decisions.
Он нахватал разных знаний по верхам.
He has picked up all sorts of bits of knowledge superficially.

This noun exists in plural form only.