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

Their seconds-long spiels have touched on topical news instead, providing brief summaries of subjects like the protests in Europe and the war in Ukraine, as if long-form journalism is incomplete without a quick nod to the daily headlines. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2026

An itchy head after topical treatment may just be a reaction to the treatment itself. — Emily J. C. Wong, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

Tom Cavanaugh, the head of J & J's pharma segment, said roughly 60% of Icotyde patients are new to systemic treatments for plaque psoriasis, which doctors may prescribe after topical and light-based therapies have not worked. — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

According to Hall, topical PDRN can still hydrate skin, reduce inflammation and support natural repair processes, helping the complexion appear calmer and more comfortable. — Lucy Partington, Glamour, 7 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