iconic

American

[ahy-kon-ik] / aɪˈkɒn ɪk /

Also iconical

adjective

widely considered to epitomize an era, culture, community, place, etc.; representative.

The iconic figure of punk rock reunited with her bandmates for a final performance.
We boarded one of London’s iconic double-decker buses.
celebrated, revered, or idolized.

The cheesesteak has iconic status in Philly.
She's worn some of the most iconic gowns ever to grace the red carpet.
Eastern Church. of or relating to a representation of some sacred personage or event, such as Christ or a saint or the Resurrection, painted usually on a wood surface and venerated for its subject.
Art. (of statues, portraits, etc.) executed according to a convention or tradition.

Usage

What does iconic mean? If something or someone is considered iconic, they're very influential, recognizable, and revered, e.g., Rembrandt is an iconic painter.

Other Word Forms

iconically adverb
iconicity noun

Etymology

Origin of iconic

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin īconicus, from Greek eikonikós, from eikon- (stem of eikṓn ) icon + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Albert Mazibuko, who sang in iconic South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo for more than five decades, has died aged 77.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Hundreds of people passed by, carrying shopping bags or stopping to take selfies with the Art Institute’s iconic lion statues.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” which had a production budget of $110 million, continues the story of iconic Nintendo characters Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach as they journey to rescue Princess Rosalina.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

The iconic photograph taken by astronaut William Anders captured the bright blue Earth against the vast darkness of space, with the Moon's cratered surface in the foreground.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

But he’s funny as hell up there—sinking to his knees, grasping his head, moaning—and I don’t want to oversell it or anything, but this just may be the most iconic performance of all time.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023