adj
Uncommon
topical
TOP-ih-kuhl
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.”
adj
1
Relating to a subject that is currently of interest or in the news.
"The comedian's set was full of topical jokes about the election."
2
Applied directly to the skin or a specific part of the body, rather than taken internally.
"The doctor prescribed a topical cream for the rash."
"A topical anaesthetic numbed the area before the injection."
How to use topical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "about current events" or, in medicine, "applied to the surface of the skin."
Common mistake
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.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
topical cream
topical humour
topical issue
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Word forms
- Plural
- topicals
- Comparative
- more topical
- Superlative
- most topical
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".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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.
