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

• boast
• credit
• crown jewel
• glory
• honor
• jewel
• pride
• treasure

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

After Pope Francis assumed the papacy, San Lorenzo secured a few major wins, after which the club transported trophies to the Vatican twice as a way to thank the pope for his support. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025

The latter signed a 10-year, $700 million contract as a free agent before the 2024 season, then won his second straight MVP trophy, joining Hall of Famer Frank Robinson as the only men to win the award in both leagues. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

This was supposed to be a campaign of transition under Slot, where winning trophies became even tougher. —Gregg Evans, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025

Of course, there has to be a shiny new trophy up for grabs for this new glitzy tournament – if the $1 billion dollar prize pot wasn’t enough motivation for the players. —Matias Grez, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 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