tropical

[ trop-i-kuhl troh-pi-kuhl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to, characteristic of, occurring in, or inhabiting the tropics, especially the humid tropics:

   tropical flowers.

2. very hot and humid:

   a tropical climate.

3. designed for use in the tropics or in very hot weather (often used in combination):

   tropical-weight woolens.

4. of or relating to either or both of the astronomical tropics.
5. pertaining to, characterized by, or of the nature of a trope or tropes; metaphorical.

noun

1. tropicals, lightweight clothing, suitable for warm, especially summer weather.

tropical

/ ˈtrɒpɪkəl /

adjective

1. situated in, used in, characteristic of, or relating to the tropics
2. (of weather) very hot, esp when humid
3. rhetoric of or relating to a trope

Derived Forms

• ˌtropiˈcality, noun
• ˈtropically, adverb

Other Words From

• tropi·cali·ty noun
• tropi·cal·ly adverb
• hyper·tropi·cal adjective
• non·tropi·cal adjective
• non·tropi·cal·ly adverb
• un·tropi·cal adjective
• un·tropi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tropical¹

First recorded in 1520–30; tropic + -al ¹

Example Sentences

As Laura’s track shifted southward, away from Florida, tropical storm Marco appeared to be on track to enter the Gulf of Mexico right behind it.

From Science News

Groups such as the Red Cross are starting to use subseasonal forecasts to strategize for weather disasters, such as figuring out where to move emergency supplies when it looks like a tropical cyclone might hit a region.

From Science News

The effects of that disturbance in air circulation can be felt across the globe, suppressing winds over the Atlantic that might otherwise pull tropical storms apart.

From Science News

Too much deforestation means that tropical forests are now producing more greenhouse gases than they absorb.

From Science News For Students

Reducing tropical deforestation and limiting the wildlife trade might be cost-effective ways of stopping pandemics before they start, a new analysis finds.

From Science News

Mistletoes on mesquite trees in central Mexico have been linked to a greater abundance of tropical bird species.

From The Daily Beast

The abandoned barracks of the Liberian Army lay just beyond in the tropical thicket.

From The Daily Beast

A tropical storm, clearly visible on radar for days, is to blame.

From The Daily Beast

As I ended my call with Mooney, he was monitoring tropical storm Gonzalo as it was developing into a classified hurricane.

From The Daily Beast

From deep within, looking up at the tropical sky is like staring through the dome of some kind of earthen cathedral.

From The Daily Beast

Tyrannus melancholicus chloronotus Berlepsch: Tropical Kingbird.

From Project Gutenberg

The graceful flying-fish, like a fair white bird, goes glancing above the blue magnificence of the tropical seas.

From Project Gutenberg

The soil of Cuba is prolific, and the variety of tropical plants and fruits grown upon the island is quite remarkable.

From Project Gutenberg

I had once been in a tropical calm, and I really, after trying them both, prefer the breezes and thunder-storms.

From Project Gutenberg

Fortunately, hurricanes are limited to a very small part of the tropical district.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• equatorial
• hot
• lush
• steamy
• sultry
• sweltering