subtropical

adjective

sub·​trop·​i·​cal ˌsəb-ˈträ-pi-kəl 

variants or less commonly subtropic

ˌsəb-ˈträ-pik 

: of, relating to, or being the regions bordering on the tropical zone

subtropical environment

subtropical grasses

Examples of subtropical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Various factors such as melting sea ice and shifts in the subtropical jet stream over the mid-latitudes in the U.S. may counteract each other. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025

The city already has a warm, subtropical climate, so additional warming may provide less of a benefit for its rats. —Benji Jones, Vox, 31 Jan. 2025

The subtropical landscaping cost more than $6 million. —Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024

The Rock Creek Loop traverses approximately seven miles of ravines, creeks, subtropical forest, and small footbridges. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subtropical

• intertropical
• microscopical
• neotropical
• topical
• tropical

Kids Definition

subtropical

adjective

sub·​trop·​i·​cal ˌsəb-ˈträp-i-kəl 

ˈsəb-

variants also subtropic

-ˈträp-ik 

: of, relating to, or being the regions bordering on the tropical zone

subtropical forests