Word
tryptophan
Phoneticstryp·to·phan
UK/tɹˈɪptɒfən/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. an amino acid in foods like turkey, eggs, and nuts that your body uses to make protein and chemicals for sleep and mood.
n. an essential amino acid serving as a precursor to serotonin, melatonin, and niacin, obtained through dietary protein. Humans cannot synthesize it and must obtain it from foods such as meat, dairy, nuts, and seeds.
Examples
“Turkey contains tryptophan that helps your body rest.”
“She eats eggs and nuts for breakfast to get enough tryptophan during her busy training season.”
“Researchers link dietary tryptophan to serotonin production, though the popular claim that turkey alone causes drowsiness oversimplifies a complex metabolic pathway.”
Examples
simple
“Turkey contains tryptophan that helps your body rest.”
contextual
“She eats eggs and nuts for breakfast to get enough tryptophan during her busy training season.”
complex
“Researchers link dietary tryptophan to serotonin production, though the popular claim that turkey alone causes drowsiness oversimplifies a complex metabolic pathway.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “tryptophan” in context.
Verb
01. contain tryptophan
“Turkey, eggs and pumpkin seeds all contain tryptophan in significant amounts.”
verb + noun
02. convert tryptophan
“The body converts tryptophan into serotonin, then into melatonin at night.”
verb + noun
03. ingest tryptophan
“Athletes who ingest tryptophan after training report better sleep recovery.”
verb + noun
04. metabolize tryptophan
“Gut bacteria help metabolize tryptophan into compounds that affect mood.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. bioavailable tryptophan
“Fermented foods may provide more bioavailable tryptophan than unprocessed grains.”
adj + noun
06. dietary tryptophan
“Dietary tryptophan from turkey and eggs helps the brain produce serotonin.”
adj + noun
07. endogenous tryptophan
“Endogenous tryptophan metabolism influences immunity and neurotransmitter balance.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. dose of tryptophan
“A high dose of tryptophan should only be taken under medical supervision.”
noun + prep + noun
09. level of tryptophan
“Low blood level of tryptophan is linked to insomnia and low mood.”
noun + prep + noun
10. acute tryptophan depletion paradigm
“Researchers use the acute tryptophan depletion paradigm to study depression.”
11. convert tryptophan into serotonin
“The brain converts tryptophan into serotonin to stabilize mood and appetite.”
12. natural source of tryptophan
“Pumpkin seeds are a concentrated natural source of tryptophan.”
Real-World Examples
“Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that you can only get from food.” Etymology
From German Tryptophan, from Ancient Greek φαίνω (phaínō, “to appear”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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