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

Cube then pulled into Dodger Stadium, driving on the warning track and stopping in front of the Dodgers dugout to deliver the trophy. —Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025

While there is a huge lure to the prospect of potential trips to Barcelona, Madrid, Munich or Milan, there would be something more concrete; something with greater longevity in winning an actual trophy, on the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium no less. —Paul Taylor, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

The trophy is an actual crown and the first wearable piece of hardware of its kind in postseason college basketball. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025

The Wyndham’s Theatre production, which is Broadway-bound later this year, earned Mark Strong the best actor award and Lesley Manville best actress honors, while Icke himself nabbed the best director trophy. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for trophy

• sophy
• trophy
• hypertrophy
• theosophy

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