Topic Noun ˈtɒpɪk ˈtɑːpɪk Main Conversation Tom's Girlfriend

• the main topic of conversation was tom's new girlfriend.
• a topic of discussion/interest
• to cover/discuss/address a topic
• a range/variety of topics

topic

1. a subject that you talk, write or learn about
• The main topic of conversation was Tom's new girlfriend.
• a topic of discussion/interest
• to cover/discuss/address a topic
• a range/variety of topics
• The article covered a wide controversial topics including forced marriage and abortion.
• There will be workshops on related topics.
• Hot topics (= that are being discussed a lot) for discussion included global warming and pollution of the oceans.
• She has written about such important topics as race, culture and class.

Extra Examples

• The topic for tonight’s discussion is…
• I did my best to change the topic (= of conversation).
• In the next chapter the writer focuses on the topic of adoption.
• It might be better to avoid such a controversial topic.
• She was an excellent speaker, but I found her choice of topic strange.
• We discussed topics ranging from foreign policy to economics.
• The book covers such diverse topics as diving and first aid.
• articles on religious art and related topics
• This topic comes up every year.
• Our teaching is based largely on topic work.
2. not appropriate or relevant to the situation
• That comment is completely off topic.
• He keeps veering off topic.
3. appropriate or relevant to the situation
• Keep the text short and on topic.
• Let's get back on topic.

Word Origin

• late 15th cent. (originally denoting a set or book of general rules or ideas): from Latin topica, from Greek ta topika, literally ‘matters concerning commonplaces’ (the title of a written work by Aristotle), from topos ‘a place’.