ENGLISH
REFERENCE

iconic

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌaɪˈkɑnɪk// UK //aɪkˈɒnɪk// icon·ic

adj. very famous and popular, often representing a specific time, place, or style. You use it to describe things that people recognize immediately as symbols of something bigger.

adj. widely recognized and well-established as a symbol or representative of a particular style, era, or cultural movement. Often used in media and marketing to denote high status or lasting influence.


SIMPLE

The Eiffel Tower is an iconic landmark in Paris.

CONTEXTUAL

The actress wore an iconic black dress that became the most famous fashion image of the decade.

COMPLEX

While many buildings are functional, only a few achieve an iconic status that allows them to define a city's skyline for generations.

Origin

From Late Latin īconicus, from Ancient Greek εἰκονικός (eikonikós). By surface analysis, icon + -ic.

Usage

Typically used to modify nouns that serve as cultural symbols; often gradable ('more iconic', 'most iconic').

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