trophy

1 of 2

noun

tro·​phy ˈtrō-fē 

plural trophies

1

: something gained or given in victory or conquest especially when preserved or mounted as a memorial

2

a

: a memorial of an ancient Greek or Roman victory raised on the field of battle or on the nearest land for a naval victory

b

: a representation of such a memorial (as on a medal)

also : an architectural ornament representing a group of military weapons

3

: a game animal or fish suitable for mounting as a trophy

—usually used attributively

4

: one that is prized for qualities that enhance prestige or social status

—usually used attributively

a trophy wife

a trophy house

trophy transitive verb

-trophy

2 of 2

noun combining form

: nutrition : nurture : growth

dystrophy

Synonyms

Noun

• boast
• credit
• crown jewel
• glory
• honor
• jewel
• pride
• treasure

Examples of trophy in a Sentence

Noun

the mogul's latest trophies include a winter mansion in the Bahamas and a new sports car

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The remaining seven couples donned their spooky best for a chance to win the mirrorball trophy in a special Halloween episode By Esther Kang Comments Things got spooky on this week's episode of Dancing with the Stars! —Esther Kang, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024

For Manchester United, the club hasn’t won a trophy since 2017; a cataclysmic expanse for the club the size of it. —Ben Church, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024

The Dutch coach, who won two domestic trophies during his two-and-half-year tenure at the club, was dismissed after the club lost 2-1 to West Ham at the weekend. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2024

It’s all centered around a luxe lodge-style home that spans 14,000 square feet and offers five bedrooms and a large bunkroom, as well as a commercial-grade kitchen, a movie theater, trophy and craft rooms, a gym, and a sparkling pool. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French trophee, from Medieval Latin tropheum, from Latin tropaeum, trophaeum, from Greek tropaion, from neuter of tropaios of a turning, of a rout, from tropē turn, rout, from trepein to turn

Noun combining form

New Latin -trophia, from Greek, from -trophos nourishing, from trephein

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing trophy

• trophy wife

Kids Definition

trophy

noun

tro·​phy ˈtrō-fē 

plural trophies

1

: something taken from the enemy in victory or conquest especially when kept and displayed as proof of one's bravery or victory

took the enemy's flags as trophies

2

: something given in recognition of a victory or as an award for achievement

a golf trophy

trophied

-fēd

adjective