Icon: meaning, definitions and examples

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icon

 

[ ˈaɪkɑːn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

web design

A small, simple, graphical image that represents an object or action.

Synonyms

image, representation, symbol.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
icon

This word is suitable for describing a small graphical representation, often used in applications, software, or websites. It can also refer to a person or thing that is greatly admired.

  • Click the icon to open the application.
  • She is a fashion icon.
symbol

This word fits when referring to something that stands for or represents something else, often in cultural, social, or mathematical contexts.

  • The heart is a common symbol of love.
  • In the equation, the '+' symbol indicates addition.
image

Use this word when referring to a visual representation of something, such as a photograph, drawing, or any visual depiction.

  • I uploaded an image of my cat to the social media profile.
  • The image of the mountains was very beautiful.
representation

This word is good for formal or technical contexts where you are describing an abstract depiction, often used in academic, digital, or complex systems.

  • The chart is a representation of the data collected over the past year.
  • This sculpture is an artistic representation of human emotions.

Examples of usage

  • The website has a shopping cart icon to indicate where to click to view your cart.
  • The email icon is typically located in the top right corner of the screen.

Translations

Translations of the word "icon" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ícone

🇮🇳 प्रतिमा

🇩🇪 Ikone

🇮🇩 ikon

🇺🇦 іконка

🇵🇱 ikona

🇯🇵 アイコン (aikon)

🇫🇷 icône

🇪🇸 icono

🇹🇷 ikon

🇰🇷 아이콘 (aikon)

🇸🇦 رمز

🇨🇿 ikona

🇸🇰 ikona

🇨🇳 图标 (túbiāo)

🇸🇮 ikona

🇮🇸 tákn

🇰🇿 белгі

🇬🇪 ხატი

🇦🇿 ikon

🇲🇽 icono

Etymology

The word 'icon' has its origins in Greek, where it originally meant a religious image or statue. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include any symbol or image that represents something. In the digital age, 'icon' is commonly used to refer to small graphical images used in user interfaces to represent functions or content.

See also: iconic, iconoclast, iconography, iconolatry, icons, laconicism.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,248, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.