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adjective B1 Intermediate Common

tropical

TROP-ih-kuhl

Tropical (adjective) means relating to, or typical of, the hot and humid region near the equator. Example: “They took a holiday to a tropical island in the Caribbean.”

adjective
1
Relating to, or typical of, the hot and humid region near the equator.
"They took a holiday to a tropical island in the Caribbean."
"The greenhouse recreates a tropical climate for orchids."

How to Use Tropical

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBelonging to, or like, the hot, humid climate found near the equator.

Common pairings
tropical climate tropical rainforest tropical storm

Word Forms

more tropical comparative, tropicals plural, most tropical superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

They took a holiday to a _____ island in the Caribbean.

Etymology

From "tropic" + the adjective suffix "-al."

Related Words

Rhymes for tropical

See all rhymes for tropical →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “tropical” mean?

The word “tropical” means relating to, or typical of, the hot and humid region near the equator. In plain terms, belonging to, or like, the hot, humid climate found near the equator.

How do you pronounce “tropical”?

“Tropical” is pronounced TROP-ih-kuhl (/ˈtɹɑ.pɪ.kəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “tropical” in a sentence?

Here is “tropical” used in a sentence: “They took a holiday to a tropical island in the Caribbean.”

What part of speech is “tropical”?

“Tropical” is an adjective.

Is “tropical” a common word?

“Tropical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

What is the difference between "tropical" and "subtropical"?

"Tropical" describes the hot, humid region near the equator, with warm temperatures year-round. "Subtropical" describes areas just beyond the tropics that are warm but have more seasonal variation, including cooler winters, so subtropical climates are generally milder than tropical ones.

What is the difference between "tropical" and "equatorial"?

"Tropical" refers broadly to the warm, humid zone near the equator, while "equatorial" refers specifically to the area right along the equator. Equatorial climates are a core part of the tropics, typically with heavy rainfall and very little seasonal temperature change.

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