Tropical
TROP-ih-kuhl
/ˈtrɒpɪkl/
Characteristic of or situated in the tropics, the warm geographic region surrounding the Earth's equator.
Evokes lush vegetation, high humidity, warm year-round temperatures, and vibrant marine life.
The story behind the word. From Greek tropikos, from tropos (turn). It refers to the sun turning back at the astronomical tropics (Cancer and Capricorn) during its annual path across the sky.
Word relationships
- equatorial: Equatorial refers precisely to regions directly on the equator, whereas tropical covers the entire zone between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
- balmy: Balmy describes pleasantly warm weather anywhere, whereas tropical specifies a distinct geographic climate zone.
- polar: Polar relates to freezing regions near the Earth's poles.
- temperate: Temperate describes moderate climate zones with distinct winter cold.
Commonly confused with
- subtropical: Subtropical regions lie just outside the tropics and experience cooler winter seasons.
Word family
- tropics (noun): the region around the equator
- tropically (adverb): in a tropical manner
Collocations
- tropical island
- tropical storm
- tropical climate
- tropical paradise
Example sentences
- "The island destination is famous for its tropical rainforests, sandy shores, and crystal-clear waters." Travel marketing
- "A tropical storm developed over the warm Caribbean ocean currents late Tuesday evening." Meteorology
Memory hook
TROPICAL heat makes you TURN (tropos) to seek shade. Warm equatorial sunshine and lush palms.
When not to use
Do not use to describe cold, polar, or temperate climate zones.
Fun facts
- Despite occupying only 40% of Earth's surface, tropical regions host over 80% of the planet's terrestrial species.
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