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

• ˈtropically, adverb
• ˌtropiˈcality, noun

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

Likewise, Prof Mizeck Chagunda, who is the director of the Centre for Tropical Genetics and Health, which is also based at the Roslin Institute, believes both in the positive potential of gene editing and that it needs to be carefully overseen.

From BBC

This is where surface waters in the east tropical Pacific Ocean are warmer than usual, which releases extra heat into the atmosphere.

From BBC

Heavy rains are also expected in the Cayman Islands, while a tropical storm warning is in force in the Florida Keys.

From BBC

This supercharges these tropical storms — and obviously it has nothing to do with health care or reproductive rights.

From Salon

Seeing the opportunity, the Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, or TDR, created the Global Health Matters podcast, which one of us hosts, as an intentional way to dismantle silos that have stifled global health dialogue.

From Salon

Related Words

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