topical Hear it!

topical Definition

topi·cal (täpi kəl)

adjective

  1. of a particular place; local
  2. of, using, or arranged by topics, subjects, or headings
  3. having to do with topics of the day; of current or local interest topical allusions in literature
  4. Med. of or for a particular part of the body; esp., designating or by local application a topical remedy

topical Related Forms

top′i·cal·ity (-kalə tē) noun topi·cally adverb

topical Synonyms

topical

modif.

  1. Local

    confined, limited, insular; see local 1, restricted.

  2. Current

    thematic, nominal, subjective; see modern 1.

topical Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • make: Likewise the modern pursuit of justice in terms of revenge makes this book highly topical.
  • keep: A well-run network will thrive if its participants play an active role in keeping the network topical and relevant.

Modifies a noun

  • steroid: The flares then require topical steroid to bring them back under control.
  • corticosteroid: Other useful advice Only use topical corticosteroids on the affected areas of skin.
  • antibiotic: The topical steroid may be combined with a topical antibiotic.
  • capsaicin: Systematic review of topical capsaicin for the treatment of chronic pain.
  • anesthesia: Prior to laser treatment the patient requires topical anesthesia to the treatment area.
  • antimicrobials: White R.J. , Cooper R. , Kingsley A. ( 2001 ) ' Wound colonization and infection: the role of topical antimicrobials ' .

Modifying Another Word

  • highly: An emotive family drama with a highly topical approach.
  • particularly: The backdrop is perhaps particularly topical in the wake of SARS.
  • extremely: I very much like to dance, look various romantic and extremely topical films.
  • especially: Now, with a General Election only weeks away, Chicken Soup with Barley is especially topical.
  • very: At the top of the chart, Hannibal gave way to the very topical Proof of Life.
  • too: It has become all too topical in relation to possible British membership of the Euro.

Used with adjective complement

  • remain: A tight recording schedule ensured the jokes remained fiercely topical.
  • seem: One was a life size statue of a sitting Afghan Hound in the man's study and that seemed topical.
  • become: In recent years they have become even more topical with the widespread use of cryptography.
  • compare: Three trials with 433 patients comparing topical with oral NSAID found no difference in efficacy.
  • make: Obviously this has been made more topical in recent years ever since the bath's triumph in BBC Television's Restoration series in 2003.
  • use: The project has helped me to reflect on how I could use topical, local and national issues in my teaching more.. .

Browse dictionary entries near topical

  1. topic sentence
  2. topic
  3. topiary
  4. tophus
  5. Tophet
  6. topgallant
  7. topfull
  8. toper
  9. Topeka
  10. topee
  1. topknot
  2. Toplady, Augustus Montague
  3. topless
  4. toplofty
  5. topmast
  6. topminnow
  7. topmost
  8. topo
  9. topog
  10. topographer