Word
topical
Phoneticstop·i·cal, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɑpəkəɫ/
UK/tˈɒpɪkəl/
Definitions
01current events
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. relating to things that are happening in the news or are of interest right now.
adj. relating to or of current interest; relevant to contemporary events or subjects.
“The comedian's jokes were very topical and mentioned the election from last night.”
“The documentary was praised for its topical approach to the housing crisis, addressing issues that had dominated the headlines all week.”
02applied to the skin
C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical
adj. applied directly to a part of the body, especially the skin, rather than being swallowed.
adj. relating to or applied directly to a localized part of the body, typically the skin or mucous membranes.
“You should use a topical cream to treat that small rash on your arm.”
“The physician prescribed a topical antibiotic to treat the localized infection without affecting the patient's entire system.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
03arranged by subject
C1 · Advanced Academic
adj. organized according to specific subjects or themes.
adj. arranged according to topics or themes rather than chronologically or alphabetically.
“The library has a topical index to help you find books about different hobbies.”
“The researcher organized the data into a topical framework, allowing for a clearer comparison between different social groups.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04a medical cream
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a medicine, such as a cream or gel, that you put on your skin.
n. a medication or substance designed for external application to a specific area of the body.
“The doctor recommended an over-the-counter topical for the itch.”
“While oral medications are effective, a topical is often preferred for minor skin irritations to minimize potential side effects.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“These findings have increased interest in ζ-carotene as a potential ingredient in ingestible and topical skincare products.” “It still had a culture of exploration, and many services were designed to help users browse topical categories rather than fire a query into a universal index.” Etymology
From topic + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/topical