topical

adjective

top·​i·​cal ˈtä-pi-kəl How to pronounce topical (audio)
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 How to pronounce topical (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One of the closest to market is Cosmo’s topical medicine, clascoterone, which targets the root cause of male-pattern hair loss by blocking a hormone that causes it directly at the hair follicle. — Avalon Pernell, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Pricing Happy Head’s topical solution is billed on a monthly basis, with a single bottle containing two ounces of treatment solution. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Featured in over-the-counter topical products, the vitamin A derivative is found ubiquitously in anti-aging skin-care products, selected for its ability to increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen. — Ellie Davis, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026 Why Clean Beauty Readers Should Care The connection to beauty and wellness is not about topical claims. — Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for topical

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of topical was circa 1525

Rhymes for topical

See All Rhymes for topical

Browse Nearby Words

topic
topical
topicality
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Topical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topical. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

topical

adjective
top·​i·​cal ˈtäp-i-kəl How to pronounce topical (audio)
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 How to pronounce topical (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

topical

adjective
top·​i·​cal ˈtäp-i-kəl How to pronounce topical (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce topical (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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