topically
topically — adverb
1. with attention to issues that people are discussing now, rather than to older or
with attention to issues that people are discussing now, rather than to older or unrelated matters.
Topically, the film echoes current worries about water shortages.
sentence adverb: frames the comment by current relevance
Ayesha rewrote her opening joke topically after the bridge collapse.
verb + topically with a sudden news event
The station covered school lunches topically during the price rise.
Hui adjusted the museum talk topically when the heat wave worsened.
- respond topically
- cover something topically
- frame something topically
- speak topically
- currently
broader and more neutral; it does not itself suggest public interest
- timely
usually used as an adjective and often suggests good timing as well as relevance
- relevantly
focuses on fit to the matter at hand, not specifically to current events
- historically
from the angle of past events rather than the present moment
- abstractly
without tying the point to live public issues
Grammar Patterns
Topically, + clause
verb + topically
topically + about + current issue
Usage Note
Often used when a speaker, writer, or programme is shaped around what is urgent in public discussion at that moment. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about present relevance, not about organizing material by subject.
Common Mistakes
2. from the point of view of one subject area, or in a subject-by-subject arrangeme
from the point of view of one subject area, or in a subject-by-subject arrangement instead of a broad or time-based one.
The professor discussed the novels topically rather than week by week.
contrast: topically rather than chronologically
We sorted the interview notes topically before writing the final report.
verb + topically for organizing material by theme
Ramón answered the class questions topically, starting with housing and transport.
The website lets readers browse articles topically instead of by date.
- arrange topically
- discuss something topically
- organize notes topically
- browse topically
- thematically
close in meaning, especially in teaching and criticism
- categorically
broader and less natural for books or discussions
- by topic
plain phrase that explains the same idea more directly
- chronologically
in time order instead of subject order
- randomly
without any clear organizing principle
Grammar Patterns
verb + topically
topically rather than chronologically
topically by subject area
Usage Note
Common when information is grouped, taught, or answered one topic at a time. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about organization or angle, even when the subject is not a current public issue.
Common Mistakes
3. by putting a drug or treatment directly onto the skin or another outer body surf
by putting a drug or treatment directly onto the skin or another outer body surface, rather than taking it inside the body.
Apply the gel topically to your ankle after football practice.
apply + medicine + topically
The nurse treated the burn topically before wrapping the hand.
treat + body area + topically
This medicine works topically, so do not swallow the liquid.
contrast: topical use vs swallowing
Esme used the cream topically on the rash near her elbow.
- apply topically
- treat topically
- use topically
- work topically
- externally
broader; it can refer to use on any outside surface, not specifically skin treatment
- locally
medical term for action in one area, but it is broader than surface application
- orally
taken by mouth
- systemically
through the body as a whole
Grammar Patterns
apply + medicine + topically
treat + area + topically
work + topically
Usage Note
Mostly used in medical instructions and product labels. It usually contrasts with oral, injected, or whole-body treatment.
Common Mistakes
topically — adjective
- topicallypositive
- more topicallycomparative
- most topicallysuperlative
1. about issues that people in a certain place or period are paying attention to ri
about issues that people in a certain place or period are paying attention to right now.
The mayor's housing plan stayed topical after rents rose again this spring.
be + topical for public relevance right now
Ari opened the school debate with a topical question about bus safety.
topical + noun
Local radio prefers topical stories that listeners are already arguing about.
The play feels newly topical in a summer of power cuts.
- topical issue
- topical question
- topical story
- highly topical
- current
broadest and most neutral option
- timely
adds the idea that something comes at the right moment
- relevant
broader; can be relevant without being tied to current events
- newsworthy
stronger; suggests clear value as news
Grammar Patterns
topical + noun
be + topical
Usage Note
Used for subjects that feel alive in current public discussion. Distinguish from sense 2: a topical book can be timely because of what it is about, not because its chapters are grouped by subject.
Common Mistakes
2. grouped, described, or studied according to separate subjects instead of by time
grouped, described, or studied according to separate subjects instead of by time or another order.
The guidebook has a topical index for food, transport, and hospitals.
topical + index for subject-based arrangement
Our teacher grouped the vocabulary into topical lists before the exam.
topical + list
The archive uses topical folders instead of one long date order.
Zola made topical sections in the notebook for art and science.
- topical index
- topical list
- topical section
- topical arrangement
- thematic
close, especially for grouping by theme in teaching or analysis
- subject-based
plain descriptive phrase with the same organizing idea
- classified
broader and more formal; it does not specifically mean by subject
- chronological
arranged by time
- alphabetical
arranged by letter order
Grammar Patterns
topical + index
topical + list
topical + section
Usage Note
This sense is common in education, archives, and reference materials. It tells you how information is organized, not whether the subject itself is fashionable or in the news.
Common Mistakes
3. made to treat the skin or another outside body area, rather than being swallowed
made to treat the skin or another outside body area, rather than being swallowed or injected.
The clinic keeps topical sprays in a locked cupboard near reception.
topical + medicine noun
A topical patch eased the pain in Lauren's shoulder overnight.
topical + patch
Doctors often choose topical medicine for small skin infections.
The pharmacist explained when a topical treatment is better than tablets.
- topical cream
- topical patch
- topical treatment
- topical medicine
- oral
taken by mouth
- injectable
given by needle into the body
- systemic
working through the whole body
Grammar Patterns
topical + cream
topical + medicine
topical + treatment
Usage Note
Usually used for creams, gels, patches, sprays, and similar treatments applied to the body surface. It contrasts with oral and injected medicine.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
Topical is useful when something connects strongly to what people are talking about now. Current is broader and can simply mean present, without any public discussion around it. Timely often suggests that something appears at exactly the right moment, so it adds a sense of good timing. Relevant is broader still: a point can be relevant to a lesson or meeting even if it has nothing to do with current affairs. Newsworthy is stronger and usually means worth reporting as news. A play about electricity prices may feel topical during summer blackouts, while a safety rule can be relevant all year. If you want to stress active public attention, topical is the best choice.
Etymology
Topically was formed in English from topical and the adverb ending -ly. Topical goes back to Greek topos, meaning place, and later to words about a subject or topic for discussion. In modern English, the adverb can describe something tied to current public issues, organized by subject, or applied to the surface of the body in medical use.
First known use
1525
1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1b