Tryptophan is an amino acid found in proteins and needed by the body for normal growth and metabolismThe chemical processes that keep living things alive and working.. It is also known as a precursorA substance or thing that comes before and leads to another. to niacinA B vitamin important for health and energy use..
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /TRIP-tuh-fan/
Easy pronunciation: TRIP-tuh-fan (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable: TRIP.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Tryptophan Meaning
an essential amino acid your body needs
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an amino acid that occurs in proteins and is essential for growth and normal metabolism; a precursor of niacin
Example: Turkey, eggs, and nuts are good sources of tryptophan.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- tryptophane — A variant spelling of the same substance.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Tryptophan Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- tryptophane
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes confuse tryptophan with a sedative or sleep aid, but it is a nutrient, not a medicine.
- The spelling tryptophane is an older variant spelling, not a different word.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does tryptophan mean?
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid found in proteins. Your body needs it for normal growth and metabolism.
Is tryptophan a protein?
No. It is an amino acid, which is one of the building blocks of proteins.
What is a synonym for tryptophan?
The only direct synonym in the supplied data is tryptophane, a variant spelling.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
