snowflake

[snoh-fleyk]

noun

1. one of the small, feathery masses or flakes in which snow falls.

2. Facetious Slang.,  a person who is considered unique and deserving of special treatment.

   I have twenty-eight special snowflakes in my classroom, and their parents’ demands make teaching impossible!

3. Slang.,  a person who is easily offended, overly sensitive, or emotionally fragile.

   You snowflakes need to leave your safe spaces and engage with people who disagree with your beliefs.

4. Meteorology.

   1. an agglomeration of snow crystals falling as a unit.

   2. any snow particle.

5. any of certain European plants belonging to the genus Leucojum, of the amaryllis family, resembling the snowdrop.

6. snow bunting.

snowflake

/ ˈsnəʊˌfleɪk /

noun

1. one of the mass of small thin delicate arrangements of ice crystals that fall as snow

2. any of various European amaryllidaceous plants of the genus Leucojum, such as L. vernum ( spring snowflake ), that have white nodding bell-shaped flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of snowflake¹

First recorded in 1725–35; snow + flake ¹

Example Sentences

Other objects included a pocket TV, a snowflake hologram and a photo of Princess Diana.

From BBC

Attempts to broaden the Army's appeal - including high-profile recruitment campaigns targeting the so-called "snowflake" generation - have not been enough to reverse the decline.

From BBC

Ironically, it's all from men thinking they're tough guys, but of course, they melt down like snowflakes under a hair dryer at the mere sight of a woman smiling.

From Salon

The object varies between individual series; snowflakes for “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” apples for “New York,” you get the picture.

From Salon

“I believe almost everything he says, but he can’t unite us because the Liberal snowflakes hate us. They just want war,” she said with a smile.

From Salon

Related Words

• sleet 

When To Use

What else does snowflake mean?

No, we're not walking in a winter wonderland. Snowflake, here, is a political insult for someone who is perceived as too sensitive, often used for millennials and liberals.