What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
geographical
Example
The geographical location of the city made it vulnerable to earthquakes. [geographical: adjective]
Example
She studied the geographical features of the Amazon rainforest. [geographical: adjective]
topographical
Example
The topographical map showed the elevation changes of the hiking trail. [topographical: adjective]
Example
The geologist analyzed the topographical features of the mountain range. [topographical: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Geographical is more commonly used in everyday language, while topographical is more technical and specialized, often used in scientific or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between geographical and topographical?
Topographical is more formal and technical than geographical, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
