1
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an icon
2
a
: widely recognized and well-established
an iconic brand name
b
: widely known and acknowledged especially for distinctive excellence
an iconic writer
a region's iconic wines
Did you know?
The original meaning of iconic was essentially "resembling an icon," but today it often describes what is so admired that it could be the subject of an icon. And with that use, iconic has become part of the language of advertising and publicity: companies and magazines and TV hosts encourage us to think of some consumer item or pop star or show as first-rate or immortal or flawless—absolutely "iconic"—when that person or thing is actually simply widely known and—they assert—distinctively excellent.
Examples of iconic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her third goal was most iconic as her long shot stemmed from 54 yards out and gave the USA a 3-0 lead.
—
Jackie Gutierrez, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
The now iconic pink-pot petunias were first discovered by chance.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2025
Rhode Island Mansion Perched atop the highest point of Watch Hill, Swift’s sprawling Rhode Island estate is one of her most iconic purchases.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 May 2025
No wonder, then, that the Metropolitan Museum of Art has also been the site of iconic beauty transformations sure to spark trends—and more than a few headlines.
—Sophie Schulte-Hillen, Vogue, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for iconic
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jackie Gutierrez, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
The now iconic pink-pot petunias were first discovered by chance.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2025
Rhode Island Mansion Perched atop the highest point of Watch Hill, Swift’s sprawling Rhode Island estate is one of her most iconic purchases.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 May 2025
No wonder, then, that the Metropolitan Museum of Art has also been the site of iconic beauty transformations sure to spark trends—and more than a few headlines.
—Sophie Schulte-Hillen, Vogue, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for iconic
Cite this Entry
“Iconic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iconic. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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