trophy

1 of 2

noun

tro·​phy ˈtrō-fē 

plural trophies

1

: something gained or given in victory or conquest especially when preserved or mounted as a memorial

2

a

: a memorial of an ancient Greek or Roman victory raised on the field of battle or on the nearest land for a naval victory

b

: a representation of such a memorial (as on a medal)

also : an architectural ornament representing a group of military weapons

3

: a game animal or fish suitable for mounting as a trophy

—usually used attributively

4

: one that is prized for qualities that enhance prestige or social status

—usually used attributively

a trophy wife

a trophy house

trophy transitive verb

-trophy

2 of 2

noun combining form

: nutrition : nurture : growth

dystrophy

Synonyms of trophy

Noun

• jewel
• treasure
• honor

Examples of trophy in a Sentence

Noun

the mogul's latest trophies include a winter mansion in the Bahamas and a new sports car

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Hüller did a variation of the Adrien Brody/Halle Berry Oscar kiss, giving jury member Ewa Puszczyńska, her producer on Zone of Interest, a smooch on the lips before accepting her trophy. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026

If expectations were trophies, San Diego FC would already need a second cabinet at the Sharp HealthCare Performance Center. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026

In a corner of coastal San Diego County where trophy homes dot the landscape, 3000 Sandy Lane was introduced with a playful social-media blitz that leans hard into AI and canine charm. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026

Salloi lifted trophies, was an all-star and an MVP finalist and played for his country while proudly representing Kansas City. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French trophee, from Medieval Latin tropheum, from Latin tropaeum, trophaeum, from Greek tropaion, from neuter of tropaios of a turning, of a rout, from tropē turn, rout, from trepein to turn

Noun combining form

New Latin -trophia, from Greek, from -trophos nourishing, from trephein

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing trophy

• trophy wife

Rhymes for trophy

• sophy
• trophy
• hypertrophy
• theosophy

Kids Definition

trophy

noun

tro·​phy ˈtrō-fē 

plural trophies

1

: something taken from the enemy in victory or conquest especially when kept and displayed as proof of one's bravery or victory

took the enemy's flags as trophies

2

: something given in recognition of a victory or as an award for achievement

a golf trophy

trophied

-fēd

adjective