iconic

[ahy-kon-ik] / aɪˈkɒn ɪk /

ADJECTIVE

emblematic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

archetypal epochal exemplary

STRONG

paradigmatic quintessential recognizable

WEAK

classical historic ideal important prototypical representative seminal supreme traditional

Antonyms

STRONGEST

atypical

STRONG

unrecognizable

WEAK

unimportant untraditional

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.

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

Pelosi also raised a concern echoed by other San Francisco politicians, that turning Alcatraz back into a functioning prison would mean the loss of an iconic landmark.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

“I had to come back. Our last words to each other were trash and we would’ve been some bad cliché, and I’m too iconic for such nonsense.”

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera