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

The decorative leaves of blue hibiscus are palmate, deeply lobed and appear to be the hybrid offspring of an oak leaf and a snowflake. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025

Northern Arizona will see raindrops instead of snowflakes, as overnight lows in Flagstaff will remain in the 40s and 50s over the next few days. —Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025

Delicate snowflakes and icicles will catch the light for a wintry sparkle, while gingerbread ornaments add a sweet nostalgic touch. —Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025

This tree features 36 snowflakes, color-changing LED lights, and a top star. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 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