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

If topical treatments aren’t enough to keep symptoms at bay, or if the eczema is particularly severe, there are oral medicines and injectable biologics that can help modulate the immune system’s response to eczema, says Gordon. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025

The film is even more topical now with a new administration that is implementing orders that damage the lives of trans people. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025

However, the causes differ, meaning their treatments involve different shampoos or topical treatments. —Sarah Bradley, Health, 13 Feb. 2025

Best Supplements for Acne One way to combat acne, beyond topical treatments, is by incorporating a skin-supporting supplement. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025

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