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 iconic Adidas Originals Superstar Sneakers feature a classic design with a leather upper and rubber shell toe, offering comfort and style for everyday wear. —Bethany Braun-Silva, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024

The original Creeper, a platformed version of PUMA’s iconic Suede sneaker, launched back in September 2015. —Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024

YouTube The lean, mustachioed guitarist cut such an iconic figure that director Cameron Crowe based the rock star hero of his 2000 movie Almost Famous on him. —Chloe Veltman, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024

Behind the scenes of how The Mint landed a landmark Picasso exhibit Anyone who has been to the Mint Museum Uptown will recognize the iconic piece that is due for conservation here. —Adam Bell, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2024

Williams believed that Dorothy would be pushed out of her comfort zone without her iconic pup Toto by her side. —Lexi Carson, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024

The Amazing Flora of the Azores Indigenous or imported, the flowering plants of the Azores play an important role in giving the islands their iconic Instagrammable look. —Andrew Nelson, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

If driving an hour or two to the Missouri towns in the path of totality isn’t in the cards for you, one of the next best views may be aboard the riverboats on the Mississippi River near St. Louis' iconic Gateway Arch. —Melissa Locker, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024

Florentino Primera confirms upcoming new album Florentino Primera, of the iconic Venezuelan brother duo Servando y Florentino, is working on an upcoming new album. —Griselda Flores, Billboard, 6 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1