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

Your dermatologist can guide you toward effective medications, like over-the-counter antihistamines and topical hydrocortisone, or prescription creams and possibly even biologics, if your symptoms are severe enough. —Korin Miller, SELF, 20 Sep. 2023

Icy Hot Pain-Relieving Cream Icy Hot Pain-Relieving Cream is a popular topical cream that provides temporary relief for arthritic hand pain. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2023

Docs will often treat them with cryotherapy or a topical prescription, Dr. Jaliman says. —Daley Quinn, Women's Health, 8 Sep. 2023

Today, local, regional and topical organizations all coexist, from county-level historical commissions to African American heritage trails to programs specific to the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. —John Garrison Marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Sep. 2023

This means the things that treat acne, like washing your face with salicylic acid cleansers and using topical retinoid creams, also treat comedones. —Myranda Mondry, Allure, 7 Sep. 2023

All of this makes Latter-day Saint historian Matthew Bowman’s new book all the more timely, topical and telling. —David Noyce, The Salt Lake Tribune, 6 Sep. 2023

The Peabody Award winner, spending three nights in Schaumburg, is known for his topical comedy, offering takes on the latest headlines. —Jerald Pierce, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023

Wieser’s report touches on such topical issues as the consequences of the Hollywood strikes and the Disney-Charter Communications carriage dispute, as well as explanations for how the advertising industry should evolve over the rest of this year and beyond. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

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