topical

Academic Word List, sublist 7.

About 4.61 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. adjective Relating to a particular topic or subject.

   The book is divided into topical chapters.

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

   Fair trade has become quite a topical issue.

3. adjective Local to a particular place.
4. adjective Applied to a localized part of the body.
5. adjective Applied externally (to the surface of the skin or eye).
6. adjective Arranged according to topic or theme; thematic.
7. noun A substance, especially a medication, applied externally (to the surface of the skin or eye). A topical anaesthetic.
8. noun A topical anaesthetic.

Similar words

local current topicality topic thematic theme specialized contemporary substantive relevant

Often followed by

application and steroids corticosteroids anesthetic treatment anesthesia or therapy

Word family

topic topically topics