topical

[ top-i-kuh l ]

/ ˈtɒp ɪ kəl /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR topical ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

pertaining to or dealing with matters of current or local interest: a topical reference.

pertaining to the subject of a discourse, composition, or the like.

of a place; local.

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

noun

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

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Fend Off Sciolism With This Word Of The Day Quiz

Are you the Cinderella of this week’s quiz? Test your memory on the words and definitions from March 23–29.

Question 1 of 7

schlep

to say or do hesitantly or awkwardly

to fold or wind around something

to carry; lug

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Origin of topical

1580–90; < Greek topik(ós) local, pertaining to commonplaces (see topo-, -ic) + -al¹

Words nearby topical

tophus, topi, topiary, topic, topic sentence, topical, topical anesthesia, topicality, topicalize, topkhana, topknot

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for topical

For a while he mines a topical vein: Imelda Marcos, the S&L crisis, AIDS.
The Stacks: Robin Williams, More Than A Shtick Figure|Joe Morgenstern|August 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Cocaine specifically is still used as a topical anesthetic,” says John Halpern.
Why We Need Medical Meth + Cocaine|Valerie Vande Panne|February 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some viewers may get their news from watching “Update” (or other topical TV shows); Fallon got some of his news from writing it.
Can Jimmy Fallon Be Himself on ‘The Tonight Show’?|Tom Shales|February 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It's those attributes, more than the clever writing or topical satire that made the episode such a pleasure to watch.
Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake’s Perfect, Cameo-Filled 'Saturday Night Live'|Kevin Fallon|December 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Topical Halloween costumes really just reveal the absurd things Americans are obsessed with.
The Most Popular Halloween Costumes Through the Years: 1985-2013|Kevin Fallon|October 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The topical slang that fast and foolish people use was introduced with sickening reiteration.
The Angel|Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger Gull
Topical yellow stains, or yellow dyes, by the same combination.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure
Besides the general ones, that are the same with those of the blind Cancer, there are also Topical, which may take place here.
The Compleat Surgeon, or the Whole Art of Surgery Explain'd in a Most Familiar Method|Charles Gabriel Le Clerc
Almost every number was a waltz or a two-step, the music being the topical songs and popular airs of the day set to dance music.
Vandover and the Brute|Frank Norris
But the system is growing in every direction, to save time and trouble, and is lowering the standard of topical illustrations.
The Art of Illustration|Henry Blackburn

British Dictionary definitions for topical

topical

/ (ˈtɒpɪkəl) /

adjective

of, relating to, or constituting current affairs

relating to a particular place; local

of or relating to a topic or topics

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

Derived forms of topical

topicality (ˌtɒpɪˈkælɪtɪ), nountopically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for topical

topical

[ tŏp′ĭ-kəl ]

adj.

Of or applied to a definite or localized area of the body.

topical

adjective

noun

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Origin of topical

OTHER WORDS FROM topical

Words nearby topical

Example sentences from the Web for topical

British Dictionary definitions for topical

adjective

Derived forms of topical

Medical definitions for topical

adj.

Other words from topical

topical

adjective

noun

QUIZZES

Origin of topical

OTHER WORDS FROM topical

Words nearby topical

Words related to topical

Example sentences from the Web for topical

British Dictionary definitions for topical

adjective

Derived forms of topical

Medical definitions for topical

adj.

Other words from topical