topical

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'topical' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that is relevant to the present time or an ongoing situation. Example: The discussion about the global economic crisis is a very topical issue right now.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mitchell, who gave up fronting BBC2's The Bubble to commit to the topical series, believes a younger audience is ready for comedy with a political edge.

The Guardian

Guardian Live is a programme of topical events designed to bring journalism to life for Guardian Australia readers.

The Guardian

Instead, whenever Kennedy's name has been invoked on topical news shows – by half-assed comedians, by too many members of the public – it has been followed by a joking reference to his drinking problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nabokov was famously dismissive of novelistic attempts to write directly about contemporary politics, calling it "topical trash".

The Guardian - Opinion

The BBC has strict guidelines governing the appearance of politicians on non-news programmes, which require senior executive approval, as well as topical issues that are the subject of public debate.

The Guardian

Before Jon Stewart took the reins in 1999, Comedy Central's The Daily Show was an ailing and unremarkable topical news programme that barely managed to be topical or newsworthy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

My new novel, Style, has turned out to be rather more topical than I had planned – which sometimes is the way with books (although the beastly reverse can also be true).

The Guardian - Books

Amid current debates on Scottish independence, British identity and immigration, the story is particularly topical.

The Guardian - Film

"They also rely more on topical words that could be almost cliché," found the academics, "and extreme ('breathless') and negative ('bruised') words".

The Guardian - Books

Obviously, this is contextually-flexible; sometimes conversations are wide-ranging, and so more things can be perceived to be appropriate, topical and relevant.

The Guardian

Soon after, Verhoeven ended the project, but not before unwittingly posing a topical question: in a 24/7 surveillance society, where omniscience isn't just God's thing, what should be private?

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "topical" to emphasize the immediate relevance of a subject, especially in discussions of news, politics, or cultural trends.

Common error

Avoid using "topical" when you mean "tropical", which refers to regions near the equator. "Topical" concerns relevance, while "tropical" concerns geography.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "topical" primarily functions to describe something that is of current or contemporary interest. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It often modifies nouns related to subjects, issues, or events that are presently relevant or under discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "topical" is used to describe something of current interest or relevance. According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and commonly used in written English, particularly in News & Media. The phrase is considered grammatically correct and very common. When writing, remember that the best practices is to emphasize the immediate relevance of a subject, and avoid confusing it with "tropical". For alternatives, consider "current", "relevant", or "contemporary".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

current

Focuses on something happening or existing now.

relevant

Emphasizes the importance of something to the matter at hand.

up-to-date

Highlights the freshness and recency of the information.

contemporary

Relates to the present time period.

timely

Stresses the occurrence of something at the most opportune moment.

of the moment

Indicates something's popularity or significance in the present.

of current interest

More explicitly states the characteristic of capturing public attention.

burning issue

Specifically refers to a critical and urgent problem.

high-profile

Emphasizes the widespread attention something receives.

in the news

Highlights that something is actively reported by news outlets.

FAQs

How can I use "topical" in a sentence?

You can use "topical" to describe issues that are currently being discussed or are of interest. For example, "The debate about climate change is a very "topical" issue."

What's the difference between "topical" and "relevant"?

"Topical" refers specifically to what's current or in the news, while "relevant" simply means related to the matter at hand. A "topical" issue is always relevant, but a relevant issue isn't always "topical".

What are some synonyms for "topical"?

Some synonyms for "topical" include "current", "contemporary", and "timely". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "topical trash"?

Yes, the phrase "topical trash" can be used, often to describe something that focuses too heavily on current events without lasting value or substance. The phrase appears in an example in Ludwig.