topical
topical Lexical Profile
topical Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Of immediate relevance, interest, or importance owing to its relation to current events.
"The comedian's monologue was filled with topical jokes about the recent election."
Relating to or applied directly to a specific external part of the body, such as the skin or mucous membranes (used especially of medications or anesthetics).
"The dermatologist prescribed a topical ointment to soothe the rash."
Relating to or arranged according to a particular subject or topic rather than chronological or alphabetical order.
"The library catalog includes a topical index to help researchers locate books by subject."
• noun
A medication, cream, or anesthetic designed to be applied directly to the skin or an external surface of the body.
"Over-the-counter topicals are often the first line of treatment for mild acne."
A postage stamp collected for the specific theme or subject depicted in its design rather than its country of issue.
"Her stamp album is devoted entirely to topicals featuring space exploration and aviation."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'topical' (relating to current events or applied to the skin) with 'tropical' (relating to the warm equatorial regions).
• Rhymes for topical
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Late Latin topicalis, ultimately from Ancient Greek topikos ('of a place, local'), derived from topos ('place').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.