snowflake

American  

[snoh-fleyk] / ˈsnoʊˌfleɪk /

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.

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snowflake British  

/ 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

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of snowflake

First recorded in 1725–35; snow + flake ¹

Example Sentences

Cartoon snowflakes flit across the screen, and both boys groan.

From Literature

Thick snowflakes confetti the lorries and pedestrians arriving at this remote mountain pass.

From BBC

Like snowflakes, every stock market bubble is unique.

From Barron's

She can munch on pizza made out of molten lava, or apply snowflakes and cotton candy as lip gloss.

From BBC

It’s the time of year when consumer trend reports fall like snowflakes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• sleet