Word
iceberg
Phoneticsice·berg, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈaɪsbɝɡ/
UK/ˈaɪsbɜːɡ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a massive piece of ice that has broken off a glacier and is floating in the ocean. Most of its size is hidden underwater, so you only see a small part of it.
n. a large mass of ice detached from a glacier or ice sheet and floating in open water. Typically, only about one-tenth of the total volume is visible above the surface.
Examples
“The ship slowed down to avoid a large iceberg.”
“The research vessel tracked the massive iceberg as it drifted into warmer southern waters.”
“Oceanographers monitored the disintegration of the iceberg, noting how the melting process released trapped nutrients that temporarily boosted the local marine ecosystem's productivity.”
Examples
simple
“The ship slowed down to avoid a large iceberg.”
contextual
“The research vessel tracked the massive iceberg as it drifted into warmer southern waters.”
complex
“Oceanographers monitored the disintegration of the iceberg, noting how the melting process released trapped nutrients that temporarily boosted the local marine ecosystem's productivity.”
Usage
Often used metaphorically in the phrase 'tip of the iceberg' to describe a small visible part of a much larger problem.
Etymology
Partial calque of Dutch ijsberg (compound of ijs (“ice”) + berg (“mountain”)), from Middle Dutch ijsberch. First used to describe a glacier as seen at a distance from a ship then used as a term to describe the floating chunks of ice broken off from such glaciers. Cognate to German Eisberg, Danish isbjerg, Norwegian isberg and Swedish isberg. Figurative senses in reference to the fact that only one-tenth of an iceberg is usually visible above water.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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