topical

American  

[top-i-kuhl] / ˈtɒp ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. relating to or dealing with matters of current or local interest.

   a topical reference.

2. relating to the subject of a discourse, composition, or the like.

3. relating to or in a particular place; local.

   The themes chosen for World Meteorological Day reflect topical weather, climate, or water-related issues.

4. Medicine/Medical.  of, relating to, or applied externally to a particular part of the body; local.

   a topical anesthetic.

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noun

1. Philately.  any of a collection of different stamps treating the same subject.

topical British  

/ ˈtɒpɪkəl, ˌtɒpɪˈkælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting current affairs

2. relating to a particular place; local

3. of or relating to a topic or topics

4. (of a drug, ointment, etc) for application to the body surface; local

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Other Word Forms

• topicality noun
• topically adverb

Etymology

Origin of topical

First recorded in 1580–90; from Greek topik(ós) “local, pertaining to commonplaces” ( topo-, -ic ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Southport Lifeboat described the events as "bizarre", adding: "It's quite topical for the time of year though, isn't it?"

From BBC

For other topical podcasts such as the BBC's Newscast, the research is more instant with the discussion points coming to the production team in the constant form of daily news stories.

From BBC

Few authors can do what she does, seemingly effortlessly: spin saucy yet kind-spirited social satire while exploring a multitude of topical and archetypal subjects — all within a single work, all in sentences that sing.

From Los Angeles Times

If a strike is called, audiences would first see the impact on late-night talk shows, which use teams of writers to pen topical jokes.

From Reuters

These bots can dazzle when they produce a topical sonnet, explain an advanced physics concept or generate an engaging lesson plan for teaching fifth-graders astronomy.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• newsworthy