topographic.

Relating to the shape, relief and arrangement of surface features in a place.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• topographic map
• topographic detail

On the page

The topographic map showed the rise between the river and the settlement.

Topographic detail explained why the apparent shortcut required a steep climb.

Usage notes

Primary category: setting / description. Forms: Relational adjective; no ordinary comparative or superlative unless a meaningful degree of the characteristic is explicitly intended. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: spatial orientation, setting description, material description, contrast. Disciplines: descriptive writing, physical setting, spatial analysis. Commonness: moderately common.