topically

/ˈtɒp.ɪ.kəl.i/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtɑː.pɪ.kəl.i/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtä-pi-kəl How to pronounce topical (audio)/ (ame, mw)

topically — adverb

1. with attention to issues that people are discussing now, rather than to older or

1.副詞C1
釋義

with attention to issues that people are discussing now, rather than to older or unrelated matters.

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • historically

    from the angle of past events rather than the present moment

  • abstractly

    without tying the point to live public issues

文法句型

Topically, + clause

verb + topically

topically + about + current issue

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌The book is arranged topically
✅The book is arranged topically by theme.
💡on its own, this sense is about current relevance; plain organization belongs with sense 2.

2. from the point of view of one subject area, or in a subject-by-subject arrangeme

2.副詞C1
釋義

from the point of view of one subject area, or in a subject-by-subject arrangement instead of a broad or time-based one.

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

文法句型

verb + topically

topically rather than chronologically

topically by subject area

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌The archive is topically because the story is still in the news.
✅The archive is arranged topically.
💡this sense describes subject-based arrangement, not news value.

3. by putting a drug or treatment directly onto the skin or another outer body surf

3.副詞C1
釋義

by putting a drug or treatment directly onto the skin or another outer body surface, rather than taking it inside the body.

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

文法句型

apply + medicine + topically

treat + area + topically

work + topically

用法筆記

Mostly used in medical instructions and product labels. It usually contrasts with oral, injected, or whole-body treatment.

常見錯誤

❌Take the ointment topically after meals.
✅Apply the ointment topically after meals.
💡this sense is for medicine put on the outside of the body, not swallowed.

topically — adjective