tropical
TROP-ih-kuhl
Tropical (adjective) means relating to, or typical of, the hot and humid region near the equator. Example: “Bananas and pineapples grow well in tropical regions with plenty of rain.”
adjective
1
Relating to, or typical of, the hot and humid region near the equator.
"Bananas and pineapples grow well in tropical regions with plenty of rain."
"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 notesIn plain EnglishBelonging to, or like, the hot, humid climate found near the equator.
Common pairings
tropical climate
tropical rainforest
tropical storm
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Word forms
- Plural
- tropicals
- Comparative
- more tropical
- Superlative
- most tropical
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Bananas and pineapples grow well in _____ regions with plenty of rain.
Etymology
From "tropic" + the adjective suffix "-al."
Synonyms
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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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