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

These are topical antibiotics that are dripped into the ear canal. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 30 Dec. 2024

These may include topical antibiotics, artificial tears, or lubricating eye drops. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024

Lauren Dana Ellman 12 Best Tightening Body Lotions to Give Skin a Firmer Look By Christa Joanna Lee Perkins has concerns regarding the usage of exosomes in topical products, as well, and mentions there are barriers in terms of formulating with them. —Victoria Moorhouse, Allure, 12 Dec. 2024

The appearance of beef tallow as an ingredient in some cosmetics products motivated the authors to search for and review of the available scientific studies looking at the efficacy and safety of topical beef tallow for skin care, which yielded 19 studies that fit their screening criteria. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

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