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

While there’s no way to prevent wrinkles from forming (full-stop), topical creams and cosmetic treatments can help rejuvenate the skin around your eyes. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

What to do: Although difficult to treat, NLD sometimes responds to topical cortisone creams or cortisone injections. —Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024

The highly topical news, given the allegations about the hacking of U.K. politicians and voters, could easily dominate the reporting as People’s Republic of China cyber-espionage groups are found to have been responsible for exploiting 12 zero-day vulnerabilities across 2023. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

The Last Black Man in San Francisco has only grown more topical amid growing economic uncertainty and a housing bubble ready to burst. —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2024

The term ‘femicide’ – which is typically when a woman is killed by a current or former partner - became so topical an Italian encyclopedia named it as its word of the year in 2023. —Antonia Mortensen, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024

As a straightforward topical cream, Penguin certainly has earned their title as best value. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

To treat a rash or burn, apply a cool compress or a mild topical steroid like 1% hydrocortisone. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024

There are seven layers of skin, and most topical products, such as skincare products, only penetrate the stratum corneum (the outermost layer). —Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 1 Mar. 2024

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