trophy

[ troh-fee ]
/ ˈtroʊ fi /

noun, plural tro·phies.

adjective

noting or relating to a symbol of success that is used to impress others: They just want a near-perfect trophy child to brag about.

Origin of trophy

1505–15; earlier trophe < French trophée < Latin trop(h)aeum < Greek trópaion, noun use of neuter of trópaios, Attic variant of tropaîos of turning or putting to flight, equivalent to trop(ḗ) a turning (akin to trépein to turn) + -aios adj. suffix. See trope

OTHER WORDS FROM trophy

tro·phy·less, adjective

Definition for trophy (2 of 2)

-trophy

a combining form used in the formation of nouns with the general senses “nourishment, feeding” (mycotrophy), “growth” (hypertrophy); also forming abstract nouns corresponding to adjectives ending in -trophic.

Origin of -trophy

< Greek -trophia nutrition, equivalent to troph(ḗ) food + -ia -y3

Example sentences from the Web for trophy

British Dictionary definitions for trophy (1 of 2)

trophy
/ (ˈtrəʊfɪ) /

noun plural -phies

an object such as a silver or gold cup that is symbolic of victory in a contest, esp a sporting contest; prize
a memento of success, esp one taken in war or hunting
(in ancient Greece and Rome)
  1. a memorial to a victory, usually consisting of captured arms raised on the battlefield or in a public place
  2. a representation of such a memorial
an ornamental carving that represents a group of weapons, etc
(modifier) informal highly desirable and regarded as a symbol of wealth or success a trophy wife

Word Origin for trophy

C16: from French trophée, from Latin tropaeum, from Greek tropaion, from tropē a turning, defeat of the enemy; related to Greek trepein to turn

British Dictionary definitions for trophy (2 of 2)

-trophy

n combining form

indicating a certain type of nourishment or growth dystrophy

Derived forms of -trophy

-trophic, adj combining form

Word Origin for -trophy

from Greek -trophia, from trophē nourishment

Medical definitions for trophy

-trophy

suff.

Nutrition; growth:hypertrophy.