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

Explanation

When some information or news is current and of immediate interest, we say it is topical. This might be a news story or a bit of gossip, or just a subject that is of current importance. If it's "now," it's topical. There are several meanings of the word topical, but one clue can help you remember them all: that inside word "top." You often hear newscasters refer to the "top" stories of the day—they’re current, and that makes them topical. That same little word "top" can help you remember the medical meaning of topical: pertaining to the surface of the skin. A cream applied to the "top" of your skin is a topical medication. Remember that clue, and you'll be "tops" too.

Example Sentences

Allen’s shows are designed to be evergreens with few topical gags so they can be repeated.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Saturday Night Live UK will follow a similar format, with each 75-minute episode featuring an opening monologue as well as topical sketches, live music and a satire of the week's news called Weekend Update.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

There are two FDA-approved treatments for these patients — minoxidil and finasteride, both of which come in oral and topical forms.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

Magazine and contributes lifestyle reporting and topical essays to The Wall Street Journal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

Once we bought the wax and some topical medicine to numb the inside of my nose, we marched back out of the store.

From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos

Related Words

• newsworthy