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

Traplace Christmas Snowflake Stickers This pack of 116 snowflake stickers will transform any smooth surface into a stunning winter display. —Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025

Drive by larger-than-life Christmas trees, glowing snowflakes, dancing candy canes, light tunnels and more. —Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Dec. 2025

Ambient light makes even snowflakes and icicles feel toasty. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025

In recent years, visitors have also been given little cardboard glasses — like the old 3-D glasses at the movies — that add a snowflake or other holiday features to the viewing experience. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 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