tropical

adjective

trop·​i·​cal
for sense 1
ˈträ-pi-kəl How to pronounce tropical (audio)
for sense 2
ˈtrō- How to pronounce tropical (audio)
also
ˈträ- How to pronounce tropical (audio)
Synonyms of tropicalnext
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 How to pronounce tropical (audio)
ˈtrō-
adverb

Synonyms of tropical

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Amaya said there is little doubt that the ongoing El Niño is headed for an extraordinary peak intensity, given how much heat lurks just beneath the surface of the tropical Pacific, destined to rise up over time. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 The National Hurricane Center is also tracking two disturbances in the Atlantic with one — Dolly — likely to develop into a tropical depression or storm in the next two to seven days. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 As a general rule, bring tropical houseplants inside when overnight temperatures regularly drop into the 50s. — Rachel Gillett, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026 Set the scene Cloaked in dense foliage at the edge of Old Town Key West, the Island House is a haven for gay men looking for comraderie (and more) as part of a tropical vacation. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tropical

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tropical was in 1671

Phrases Containing tropical

Rhymes for tropical

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Browse Nearby Words

-tropic
tropical
tropical air
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Cite this Entry

“Tropical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tropical. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tropical

adjective
trop·​i·​cal ˈträp-i-kəl How to pronounce tropical (audio)
: of, relating to, occurring in, or used in the tropics
tropically
-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce tropical (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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