topical

adjective

top·​i·​cal ˈtä-pi-kəl How to pronounce topical (audio)
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 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 From at-home skin care creams, such as topical retinols, to in-office treatments like Botox injections and prescription options, there’s something for just about every budget—and every crease—on this list. Glamour, 1 Mar. 2024 Four years of topical estrogen have, my doctor says, fixed the problem. Lori Gottlieb, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2024 Boyd interviews 75 musicians about their creative process, organizing their responses into topical chapter headings. Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 19 Feb. 2024 Dark spot correctors are topical treatment options designed to correct the dark spots on the skin by lighting them. Iman Balagam, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2024 Instead, your focus should shift to domain authority, topical authority and user experience (UX). Yec, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 However, larger studies are needed to further evaluate them in topical and injectable products. Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2024 Tea tree is known to help with bacteria when used as a topical ointment. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 21 Jan. 2024 Scenes that are topical one season can take on unexpected valences the next. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'topical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of topical was circa 1525

Dictionary Entries Near topical

Cite this Entry

“Topical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topical. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

topical

adjective
top·​i·​cal ˈtäp-i-kəl How to pronounce topical (audio)
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 adverb

Medical Definition

topical

adjective
top·​i·​cal ˈtäp-i-kəl How to pronounce topical (audio)
: 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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on topical

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