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

For travelers who love exploring the world of tropical drinks, visits to these artisanal, family-run, operations often lead to fascinating, educational tasting experiences. —Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025

Escala Forma Miami’s tropical tropes are all used at once, and to great effect, within this living room by local studio Escala Forma. —Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2025

Similarly, oceans may shimmer red under intense tropical climates when red iron oxides form from the decay of the rock, and rivers pour it into the oceans. —New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2025

Look 3 Belinda Lindsey, played by Natasha Rothwell, is the purveyor of tropical style with her snazzy choice of caftans throughout the season. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for tropical

• topical
• intertropical
• microscopical
• neotropical
• subtropical

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