topical

adjective

top·​i·​cal ˈtä-pi-kəl 

1

a

: referring to the topics of the day or place : of local or temporary interest

a topical novel

topical references

b

: of, relating to, or arranged by topics

set down in topical form

2

: designed for or involving local application and action (as on the body)

a topical anesthetic

a topical remedy

topically

ˈtä-pi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Like a topical medicine, a topical reference or story applies to something specific, focusing on a topic that's currently in the news. TV comedians often use topical humor, making jokes about a currently popular movie or the latest political scandal—if possible, one that just broke that same day. Topical humor has a short lifespan, though, because the news keeps changing and the new hot topics just keep coming. The medical meaning of topical stays closer to the meaning of the root, since it describes something that's put right on the place that seems to need it.

Examples of topical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Use of Detangle every three days came close to returning hair coverage by day 28, compared with roughly 70 percent return in mice that underwent a topical minoxidil dose each day. — New Atlas, 11 Nov. 2026

With the help of her daughter Zoe, Wechsler opened the first Spotless location in 2025, offering walk-in consultations, $275; topical and oral prescriptions; pimple shots, $100; extractions, $100; and peels with 20 percent salicylic acid, $100. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026

The discourse got heated, topical Halloween costumes abounded. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Nov. 2026

Use it for just a few minutes a day to stimulate collagen; the product also works to push in topical products and assist with lymphatic drainage. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for topical

• tropical
• intertropical
• neotropical
• subtropical

Kids Definition

topical

adjective

top·​i·​cal ˈtäp-i-kəl 

1

: designed to be applied to or to work on a specific place or part (as of the body)

a topical medicine

2

a

: of or relating to topics

topical outline

b

: referring to the topics of the day or place

topical jokes

topically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

topical

adjective

top·​i·​cal ˈtäp-i-kəl 

: designed for or involving application to or action on the surface of a part of the body

applied a topical anesthetic to numb the skin

eyedrops used in the topical treatment of glaucoma

topically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb