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

Following this round, the Semifinals and Championship will take place in Las Vegas, with a prize pool and the NBA Cup championship trophy on the line. —Nick Crain, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Think: 20th-century French design trophies by the likes of Jean Royère, Charlotte Perriand, and Pierre Jeanneret, organic forms sheathed in luxe, creamy bouclé, and walls clad in stained oak paneling. —The Editors Of Ad, Architectural Digest, 4 Dec. 2024

State of play: On the heels of winning the 2023 NWSL regular season trophy and 2024 Challenge Cup, the team lost its home opener in March but broke its own home opener attendance record in the process, drawing more than 32,000 fans to Snapdragon Stadium. —Kate Murphy, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024

This year’s trophy is 3D-printed and was designed by the British Nigerian interdisciplinary artist Jade Adeyemi. —Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 2 Dec. 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