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Meaning & use

iconic figure

noun·Advancedapproving

Last updated

UK/aɪˌkɒnɪk ˈfɪɡə/
US/aɪˌkɑːnɪk ˈfɪɡjɚ/

Meanings

  1. nouncountableapproving

    A famous person who is widely seen as a symbol of a period, a movement or a field.

    Grammar: Takes a: an iconic figure of the era; the plural iconic figures is common.

    Patterns

    • an iconic figure in something
    • an iconic figure of something

    Muhammad Ali remains an iconic figure of the civil rights era.

    She became an iconic figure in fashion during the 1960s.

    The museum honors iconic figures from the city's music scene.

  2. nouncountable

    A well-known character, statue or image that people instantly recognize and associate with a place or idea.

    Grammar: Can refer to non-living things: the statue is an iconic figure.

    Patterns

    • an iconic figure on something

    The little mermaid statue is an iconic figure of Copenhagen.

    The cartoon mouse is an iconic figure for millions of children.

Word forms

pluraliconic figures

Common combinations

become an iconic figure
He became an iconic figure after the speech.
cultural iconic figure
She is a cultural iconic figure in her country.
iconic figure of the era
The singer was an iconic figure of the era.
remain an iconic figure
He remains an iconic figure for athletes.
widely seen as an iconic figure
Many see her as an iconic figure of courage.

Synonyms and how they differ

icon
Icon is shorter and more common, and can be used for objects as well.
legend
Legend stresses outstanding achievement, while iconic figure stresses being a symbol.
celebrity
Celebrity only means being famous, with no suggestion of lasting symbolic value.
trailblazer
Trailblazer emphasizes being first and pioneering, not just symbolic.

Opposites

unknownnobody

Word family

icon noun
a symbol or person who stands for an idea
iconic adjective
widely recognized as a symbol
iconography noun
symbols used in an art or religion
iconoclast noun
someone who attacks established beliefs

Commonly confused: iconic figure or ironic figure?

iconic figure vs ironic figure

Ironic describes a situation with an unexpected twist and is unrelated to being a symbol.

Practice

Elvis is often called an ___ of rock and roll.

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