topical
Topical (adj) means relating to a subject that is currently of interest or in the news. Example: “The comedian's set was full of topical jokes about the election.”
How to use topical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "about current events" or, in medicine, "applied to the surface of the skin."
Don't confuse the medical sense (a topical cream, applied to skin) with "tropical" (relating to hot climates) — they look similar but mean very different things.
Word forms
more topical comparative, topicals plural, most topical superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The comedian's set was full of _____ jokes about the election.
Etymology
From "topic" plus the adjective ending "-al".
Related words
Rhymes for topical
See all rhymes for topical →Frequently asked questions
What does “topical” mean?
The word “topical” means relating to a subject that is currently of interest or in the news. In plain terms, either "about current events" or, in medicine, "applied to the surface of the skin.".
How do you pronounce “topical”?
“Topical” is pronounced TOP-ih-kuhl (/ˈtɑ.pɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “topical” in a sentence?
Here is “topical” used in a sentence: “The comedian's set was full of topical jokes about the election.”
What part of speech is “topical”?
“Topical” is an adjective.
Is “topical” a common word?
“Topical” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “topical” have?
“Topical” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to a subject that is currently of interest or in the news.