Skip to content
Vinony

topical

adjective

  1. on a current topic of interest
  2. applied directly to a particular part of the body
L6924 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈtɒp.ɪ.kəl/ / /ˈtɑ.pɪ.kəl/

adj

Etymology: Etymology tree English topic Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English topical From topic + -al.

  1. Relating to a particular topic or subject.

    “The book is divided into topical chapters.”

  2. Relating to a topic or subject of current interest.

    “Fair trade has become quite a topical issue.”

  3. Local to a particular place.
  4. Applied to a localized part of the body.
  5. Applied externally (to the surface of the skin or eye).

    “Terbinafine is available in 250 mg tablets and in a topical 1% ointment. There is no parenteral form available.”

  6. Arranged according to topic or theme; thematic.

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree English topic Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English topical From topic + -al.

  1. A substance, especially a medication, applied externally (to the surface of the skin or eye).

    “Small amounts of potent ingredients can, in theory, mean far less skin irritation, as one might get with a one-time high dose of retinol. And with topicals, there is a more uniform delivery of product to the skin’s surface.”

    “"This is a great introductory line to first-time cannabis users because two of the items are topicals, which don't get you high," says Elisabeth, who prides herself and her growers on having a well-balanced and chemical-free strand.”

  2. A substance, especially a medication, applied externally (to the surface of the skin or eye).
  3. A joke dealing with current events or topical subjects.

    “You can’t do a show at an audience – you have to do a show with an audience and structure the act so that you start with the “hello” gags, then the topicals, then the surreal stuff.”

  4. A postage stamp depicting a particular theme or subject (such as birds or trains), potentially sought out by topical stamp collectors.

    “beautiful Pictorials, topicals, commemoratives, airmails. Introductory selection 40% discount. Ralph Rice, 15 Longlane, West Hartford 7, Conn.”