iceberg

noun

ice·​berg ˈīs-ˌbərg 

1

: a large floating mass of ice detached from a glacier

2

: an emotionally cold person

3

: iceberg lettuce

Synonyms

• cold fish
• cold turkey
• icicle

Examples of iceberg in a Sentence

a brilliant doctor, no doubt, but both patients and staff complain that he is an iceberg

Recent Examples on the Web

But this was just the tip of her experiential iceberg and is followed by a private tour of the famous monument, guided by Dr. PBS Sengar, former director of the Archeological Survey of India, the agency that maintains the nation’s historic sites, including the Taj Mahal. —Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

This is just the tip of the savings iceberg, though. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2025

Another could see guests hiking to a glacial lake or going for a skiff tour among icebergs. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 18 Feb. 2025

There was the time that Karl Lagerfeld imported an iceberg from Sweden to the Grand Palais in Paris for Chanel, and the show that memorialized his life and work after his passing was staged as a snowy chalet. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably partial translation of Danish or Norwegian isberg, from is ice + berg mountain

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing iceberg

• iceberg lettuce
• the tip of the iceberg
• tip of the iceberg

Kids Definition

iceberg

noun

ice·​berg ˈīs-ˌbərg 

: a large floating mass of ice detached from a glacier