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

In addition to the World Cup trophy, Heaps also has a gold medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics. —Romi Bean, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026

Later on that night, the Kylie Cosmetics founder was by Chalamet’s side as his name was engraved on the trophy, per a video shared by Vanity Fair. —Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026

Instead, presenters Melissa McCarthy and Kathryn Hahn accepted the trophy for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television on her behalf. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026

The film has been earning critics’ groups kudos and awards nominations, including three Gotham awards and three Golden Globes nominations — with Lee nominated for Globes best actor trophy. —Carole Horst, Variety, 12 Jan. 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