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

Prepare to be swept away by the enchanting world of dancing snowflakes, waltzing flowers and the regal Sugar Plum Fairy — brought to life through exceptional dancers and the direction of Vladimir Issaev. — Mike Hamersly, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Some of the first snowflakes of the season are expected to fall Monday evening on higher Sierra Nevada peaks between Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes, The Bee previously reported. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

When the frame is filled with white skies and snow, the picture can look dim compared with other shots, though highlight details like wisps of clouds and falling snowflakes against all that white can be readily seen. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

But the fun doesn’t stop with figurines—the calendar also includes moldable sand and molds to make snowballs and snowflakes, plus pop-out play pieces like a festive tree and a sled to soar across the frozen landscape. — Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for snowflake

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

Kids Definition

snowflake

noun

snow·​flake ˈsnō-ˌflāk 

: a flake or crystal of snow