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

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

Often seen as a club making commercial signings ahead of playing ones in the 2000s and early 2010s, Perez shifted his approach to buying players, and Madrid is now seen as an example on how to run a colossal club, buy smart and yet still compete for the biggest trophies. —Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

There will likely be plenty of win-now teams who would want James to help them to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy, something the superstar has achieved four times over his storied career. —Ben Morse, CNN Money, 30 June 2025

The Euros trophy was in the stadium as a visible reminder of the expectation this time around. —Nancy Froston, New York Times, 30 June 2025

The biggest names in tennis — including two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, seven-time champion Novak Djokovic and current No. 1 Jannik Sinner — are all contenders for the coveted men's singles trophy. —Caroline Blair, People.com, 30 June 2025

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