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

In addition, they examined how the products were taken, including oral forms such as pills, oromucosal sprays applied inside the mouth, and topical products applied to the skin.

From Science Daily

The findings show that skin health responds measurably to dietary vitamin C, not just topical treatments.

From Science Daily

Most studies used tablets, and only one tested a topical cream.

From Science Daily

Again, this is presumably meant to add a frisson of topical ambiguity to the play’s happy ending.

From The Wall Street Journal

The play, directed by Ms. Kauffman with impressive attention to both its characterizations and its philosophical implications, has only become more unsettlingly topical since it was written.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• newsworthy