tropical
7 synonyms and 1 antonym for tropical, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Relating to, or typical of, the hot and humid region near the equator.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use tropical
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
tropical climate
tropical rainforest
tropical storm
Etymology
From "tropic" + the adjective suffix "-al."
Full origin of 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.
