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topically

American  
[top-i-klee] / ˈtɒp ɪ kli /

adverb

  1. in a way that relates to a matter of local or current interest.

    This website is a treasure trove of culturally pertinent and topically applicable training curricula.

  2. in a way that reflects the subject of a discussion, piece of writing, etc.; by topic.

    Her papers include 25 binders of newspaper clippings from 1964 to 1975, organized topically.

    The conference is a series of topically organized panels, seminars, and roundtable discussions.

  3. on the surface; externally.

    The antifungal lotion is to be applied topically twice daily for 14 days.

    Most modern carpets have stain and soil treatments that have been topically applied to the fibers.


Etymology

Origin of topically

topical ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“So this, if you were just to apply it topically, probably wouldn’t get absorbed.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025

She was stunned to find that a lot of her symptoms - which included brain fog, low mood, joint pain and anxiety - became “vastly better” when she began using progesterone cream topically.

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2024

“After all, the name Sackler has really nothing to do topically with biophysics,” Schwille writes in an email to Science.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 6, 2024

After I read your article about using milk of magnesia topically as a deodorant, I tried it.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2024

Without seeking to arrange them chronologically or even to associate them topically, I wish to gather up in this chapter some of the incidents that do not well belong in the preceding chapters.

From Sixty years with Plymouth Church by Griswold, Stephen Morrell