Top bishop is in Paris (4)
I believe the answer is:
best
'top' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'bishop is in paris' is the wordplay.
'bishop' becomes 'B' (chess abbreviation).
'is in paris' becomes 'est' ('is' in French).
'b'+'est'='BEST'
(Other definitions for best that I've seen before include "The most talented" , "To the highest standard" , "Superlatively good" , "erstwhile drummer" , "First < outdo < top" .)