tropical

adjective

trop·​i·​cal

for sense 1

ˈträ-pi-kəl 

 for sense 2  ˈtrō-,

 also  ˈträ-

1

a

: of, relating to, occurring in, or suitable for use in the tropics

tropical forests

a tropical disease

b

: of, being, or characteristic of a region or climate that is frost-free with temperatures high enough to support year-round plant growth given sufficient moisture

tropical Florida

2

: figurative sense 2

tropically

ˈträ-pi-k(ə-)lē 

ˈtrō-

adverb

Synonyms

• equatorial
• low

Examples of tropical in a Sentence

wanted to escape winter and visit some tropical location where freezing to death would not be a possibility

an author given to high-flown tropical phrasings and convoluted symbology

Recent Examples on the Web

Last year's tropical primary forest loss caused greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to half of U.S. emissions caused by the burning fossil of fuels annually, Weisse said. —Fox News, 4 Apr. 2024

Warm sea surface temperatures combined with a warm tropical Atlantic — all intensified by La Niña conditions — set high expectations for an extremely active period. —Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024

The property features rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean or the tropical gardens, and several different dining options that include the renowned Cantina Beach for authentic Mexican cuisine and Dune Burgers on the Beach for a casual outdoor setting. —Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2024

There are plenty of hotels in the world that offer remarkable views, from tropical island escapes right on the water to New York City penthouses with breathtaking skylines. —Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2024

These tropical evergreen shrubs grow in USDA Zones 8-11, but now many varieties tolerate cooler temperatures and can be grown in Zone 7, such as 'Kleim's Hardy' and 'Frostproof.' How To Grow And Care For Gardenias 03 of 20 Rhododendron Botanical Name: Rhododendron spp. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024

Ambitious Anaheim tiki bar Strong Water, with its dozens of flaming, large-format classic, original and even nonalcoholic odes to the tropical drink, is a finalist in the national category of outstanding wine and other beverages program. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024

Marc Anthony's wife Nadia Ferreira is sharing a glimpse at a tropical Easter with their baby boy. —Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024

Men and women were forced to labor in the tropical sun for 12 hours or more a day to fulfill ever-rising production quotas. —Matthew Brown, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

(sense 1) Middle English tropikal "pertaining to the three circles of the celestial sphere (the two tropics and the equinoctial circle)," from tropik tropic entry 1 + -al -al entry 1; (sense 2) Latin tropicus "pertaining to figures of speech" (borrowed from Greek tropikós, from trópos "figurative expression, trope" + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tropical

• tropical aquarium
• tropical cyclone
• tropical fish
• tropical oil
• tropical rainforest
• tropical sprue
• tropical storm

Kids Definition

tropical

adjective

trop·​i·​cal ˈträp-i-kəl 

: of, relating to, occurring in, or used in the tropics

tropically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb