snowflake

noun

snow·​flake ˈsnō-ˌflāk 

1

: a flake or crystal of snow

2

: any of two genera (Leucojum or Acis) of Old World bulbous plants of the amaryllis family

especially : one (L. vernum) resembling the snowdrop

3

informal + usually disparaging

a

: someone regarded or treated as unique or special

… proclaim that parents need a way for their precious snowflakes to escape failing schools.

—Harold Cook

Baseball, like no other sport, has stats that make a special snowflake out of every player.

—Ben Rowen

b

: someone who is overly sensitive

One side derides the youth driving the movement as snowflakes and social justice warriors, too sensitive and too politically correct.

—Vanessa McCray

We are not delicate creatures. We are not snowflakes.

—Rosie DiManno

Examples of snowflake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Through Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s longstanding choreography, the family will travel through winter landscapes with dancing snowflakes, a whimsical world of confection and more treats. —Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025

This time, Nelson's team exited nine aircraft at 19,000 feet and had 60 seconds to find their slots, lock hands and hold a snowflake formation before breaking apart to deploy 174 parachutes in unison. —Angelina Liu, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Call us coddled, or sensitive snowflakes, or whatever. —Vivian Tu, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025

The pinnacles seem endless yet no two are exactly the same — like fossilized snowflakes. —Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for snowflake

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• earthquake
• eastlake
• forsake
• handshake
• headache

Kids Definition

snowflake

noun

snow·​flake ˈsnō-ˌflāk 

: a flake or crystal of snow