topical
UK: ˈtɒpɪkəl | US: ˈtɑːpɪkəl
adj. relating to current or local interest
adj. pertaining to a specific topic or subject
adj. (medicine) applied directly to a part of the body
The word "topical" originates from the Greek word "topikos," meaning "of a place," derived from "topos" (place). Over time, it evolved in Late Latin as "topicalis," referring to matters of local or immediate relevance. In English, it retained this sense while expanding to describe subject-specific relevance (e.g., "topical discussion") and medical applications (e.g., "topical ointment"). The morpheme "topic" preserves the core idea of a subject or focus, while "-al" standardizes it as an adjective.
The comedian's jokes were highly topical, referencing recent news events.
This magazine covers topical issues in science and technology.
Apply the topical cream to the affected area twice daily.
The professor gave a topical lecture on climate change.
Her essay remained topical despite being written a decade ago.