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

This is especially important in biodiverse tropical regions where sugar production is concentrated such as Brazil and India.

From Salon

Hurricanes, or tropical cyclones, can be devastating natural disasters, leveling entire cities and claiming hundreds or thousands of lives.

From Science Daily

Similar atmospheric river events - when small regions of moisture travel outside tropical regions - have occurred throughout North America over the last few weeks.

From BBC

Southeast Asia's tropical forests are renowned for their biodiversity, but at the same time face significant threats from the expansion of oil palm plantations.

From Science Daily

The tropical storm was extremely slow moving, dumping huge amounts of rain on northern Honduras for four days running before moving north to Belize and Mexico.

From BBC

Related Words

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