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

The nightclub, where iconic acts like Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers and R.E.M. once played, was filled Thursday night. —Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 17 May 2025

The event is timed with the blooming of the lake’s iconic lotus flowers, which was once the largest outside Asia. —Edwin Goei, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025

This iconic sneaker receives a distinctly feminine twist through its intricate embellishments, symbolizing Jordan Brand’s 40-year journey—from its foundation in sport to its elevated place in culture. —Essence, 16 May 2025

Manchester City will lock horns with Crystal Palace for the FA Cup trophy in what promises to be a thrilling final at the iconic Wembley Stadium. —Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 May 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