iconic

adjective

icon·​ic ī-ˈkä-nik 

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

iconically

ī-ˈkä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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

Enjoy a miniature model of Cincinnati's skyline and find classic trains and iconic landmarks from the Cincinnati Museum Center to the Roebling Bridge. —Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Dec. 2025

Crosby, Kate, Clooney and Vera-Ellen have connected with new generations, bringing the iconic holiday film to new audiences every year. —Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025

Ben Watkins remains at the creative helm, continuing to shape the series inspired by James Patterson’s iconic Alex Cross novels. —Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Dec. 2025

Roma has dedicated a selection of handbags to iconic American cities, interpreting their identity through her design language. —Footwear News, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin īconicus "of a likeness or image," borrowed from Greek eikonikós "(of a statue) in the likeness (of someone)" (Late Greek, "pertaining to or employing images, representative, symbolic"), from eikon-, eikṓn "image, likeness" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at icon

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for iconic

• atonic
• benthonic
• bionic
• bosonic
• bubonic
• canonic
• carbonic
• cyclonic
• demonic
• dystonic
• hadronic
• harmonic