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topic

/ˈtɑpɪk/
adjectivenoun

TOPIC meaning: a subject, theme, or area of interest; TOPIC scores 9 Scrabble points and has two anagrams.

NWL Collins ENABLE Wordle answer list

Adjective 1 meaning

  1. topical

Noun 4 meanings

  1. A subject; a theme; a category or general area of interest.

    “A society where a topic cannot be discussed, does not have free speech.”

  2. A discussion thread.

  3. A component similar to a message queue which supports multiple subscribers.

  4. A musical sign intended to suggest a particular style or genre.

Definitions: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA) via Kaikki/Wiktextract

Where it comes from

Etymology

From Latin topica, from Ancient Greek τοπικός (topikós, “pertaining to a place, local, pertaining to a common place, or topic, topical”), from τόπος (tópos, “a place”).

Similar and opposite words

Similar
groundsubject

TOPIC is a five-letter noun for a subject, theme, or broad area of interest. In ordinary use, you might choose a topic for a conversation, class, or article. The definition also records specialized senses: a discussion thread, a subscriber-based message queue, and a musical cue for a style or genre.

TOPIC meaning and quick facts

  • TOPIC names a subject, theme, or general area of interest.
  • Its five tiles score 9 points in Scrabble: T, O, and I are worth 1 each; P and C are worth 3 each.
  • OPTIC and PICOT are the two words formed by rearranging TOPIC.
  • TOPIC is both a valid Wordle answer and an allowed guess.
  • TOXIC, TONIC, and TORIC each differ from TOPIC by one letter.

TOPIC meaning in everyday and technical use

In a sentence such as “The topic of the meeting was local history,” TOPIC means the subject under discussion. “Theme” is a close substitute when you mean the central idea, while “area of interest” fits a broader field rather than one conversation.

The word also has narrower technical uses. A discussion thread can be called a topic, as can a message-queue component serving multiple subscribers. In music, TOPIC can mean a sign that suggests a style or genre, a specialized sense distinct from the everyday noun.

How does TOPIC score in word games?

TOPIC scores 9 base points in Scrabble: P and C contribute 3 each, while T, O, and I contribute 1 each. A premium letter square under P or C raises the total, so place one of those tiles on a letter bonus when the board allows it.

For an anagram, rearrange the same tiles to make OPTIC or PICOT. OPTIC is the familiar choice; PICOT is much less common, so check your game's word list before playing it. That caution matters more for an obscure anagram than for everyday TOPIC.

Wordle players can use TOPIC as either an answer or a guess. Its five distinct letters test T, O, P, I, and C at once, but the word's 9-point Scrabble total does not make it a stronger Wordle opener; the games reward different things.

The five one-letter neighbours include TOXIC, TONIC, and TORIC. TOPIC also shares its final sound with EPIC and TROPIC, among 12 listed rhymes. Neighbours change one tile; rhymes share the “pic” ending sound, so the two groups serve different clues.

Rhymes with topic

All rhymes
  • EPIC8
  • MICROSCOPIC21
  • PARALYMPIC21
  • PHILANTHROPIC25
  • BIOPIC12
  • TROPIC10
  • TELESCOPIC16
  • SPECTROSCOPIC23
  • PHENOTYPIC22
  • ECTOPIC13
  • ENDOSCOPIC17
  • ISOTOPIC12

One letter away

Change one letter, keep the rest

Questions people ask

Is TOPIC a valid Wordle word?
Yes, TOPIC is both a Wordle answer and an allowed guess. Its five different letters test T, O, P, I, and C in one turn. That broad letter check is separate from Scrabble strategy, where the tiles total 9 points.
What is the Scrabble score for TOPIC?
TOPIC scores 9 points before board bonuses. P and C are worth 3 points apiece, while T, O, and I are worth 1 each. A premium square can change the played score, but not the word's base tile value.
What words can you make from the letters in TOPIC?
The two recorded anagrams are OPTIC and PICOT. OPTIC is the more familiar word; PICOT is uncommon, so confirm it is accepted in your game's dictionary before using it. Both rearrange all five letters without adding or removing a tile.

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