topicaltop‧ic‧al /ˈtɒpɪkəl $ ˈtɑː-/ AWL adjective 
a new TV comedy dealing with topical issues topical jokes (=jokes about topical subjects)—topically /-kli/ adverb—topicality /ˌtɒpɪˈkæləti $ ˌtɑː-/ noun [uncountable]
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a topical anesthetic
- He is known for recording topical songs about social issues.
- In the 1970s, he recorded topical songs about Watergate and the Vietnam War.
- It's an old story but it has a topical message.
- The editor thinks that if an article isn't topical it isn't worth publishing.
- A useful activity is to pull together the governors of several neighbouring schools for training and updating on topical issues.
- Against this background, the first book devoted exclusively to this exciting and topical subject should be a significant landmark.
- Firstly, do not prescribe antibiotics if a non-antibiotic topical preparation will suffice.
- In this chapter, we have opted for a topical format.
- It is possible, too, to capitalise on topical events, like holidays, Christmas etc.
- The group on active treatment used 60% less topical steroid.
- The humour was topical and apt.
Longman Language Activatorexisting, happening, or relating to now
the present situation is the one that exists now; your present job, address etc is the one that you have now: · Arnaud lived in Los Angeles before moving to his present home in New York.· He warned that the present situation could get much worse.
use this about things or situations that exist now, when you think they may be changed in the future: · The existing building is too small, and there are plans to replace it within the next five years.· Many people feel that the existing law discriminates against women.
use this about a situation or activity which is happening now, but which is not expected to continue for a long time: · In the current economic situation, switching careers may not be such a good idea.· Coca-Cola's current advertising campaigncurrent level/rate/price: · The aim is to reduce current pollution levels in the Black Sea.· According to one economist, at the current growth rate, China will have the largest economy in the world by 2030.
use this about social, economic, or political conditions and attitudes that exist now, when you are comparing them with those that existed in the past: · The first computers were extremely slow by today's standards.· The teenagers of today have a different attitude to sex.
a present-day situation, fact, idea etc is one that exists now rather than in the past: · Modern-day equipment has made mining much safer than it was.· There is no modern-day racing driver who could be compared with Fangio.· Prussia reached its zenith in 1795, encompassing most of northern Germany and present-day Poland.
belonging to the present time or most recent time and not to the past: · I don't like modern architecture at all.· The pyramids are a remarkable piece of engineering, even judged by modern standards.· The most compelling work in the modern British theater is being created in the smaller and non-profit theaters.
contemporary art, writing, thought, society etc is the type that exists, is accepted, or belongs to, the present time: · Contemporary Indian cinema has its roots in folk culture.· the declining importance of religion in contemporary societies
a story, subject, problem etc that is topical is interesting because it deals with something that is important at the moment: · It's an old story but it has a topical message.· In the 1970s, he recorded topical songs about Watergate and the Vietnam War.· The editor thinks that if an article isn't topical it isn't worth publishing.
someone who exists now and is a very similar type of person as someone who existed in the past: · Romer portrayed himself as a latter-day Robin Hood who took money and gave it to the underprivileged.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a new TV comedy dealing with topical issuesCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
a subject that is topical is interesting because it is important at the present timetopical subject/issue/theme etc a new TV comedy dealing with topical issues (=an issue that is important at the present time)· The magazine discusses topical issues in science.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· Sometimes the salience of certain power bases may shift with topical issues.· Open Space To be considered for this slot, pieces should be 1,000 words in length and address a topical issue.· A useful activity is to pull together the governors of several neighbouring schools for training and updating on topical issues.· Injuries and fitness have been topical issues for some time now.· This explores historical discoveries and topical issues likely to appeal to pupils.· Climate change is already more important than acid rain, genetic engineering a more topical issue than saving whales.· In the seventeenth century much of the critical output fastened on topical issues arising out of current publications.
· Against this background, the first book devoted exclusively to this exciting and topical subject should be a significant landmark.· Written in a straight-forward way, this guide is the ideal introduction to a highly topical subject.· Clearly where a committee can issue a quick and reasoned comment on a topical subject it has the greatest impact.
· Senator Moynihan's topical theme is how to make the world safe for, but also from, ethnicity.
a new TV comedy dealing with topical issues topical jokes (=jokes about topical subjects)—topically /-kli/ adverb—topicality /ˌtɒpɪˈkæləti $ ˌtɑː-/ noun [uncountable]