icon
/ˈaɪkɒn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈaɪkɑːn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈī-ˌkän/ (ame, mw)
icon — noun
- iconsingular
- iconsplural
1. a small picture on a computer, phone, or tablet screen that you click or touch t
a small picture on a computer, phone, or tablet screen that you click or touch to open a program, start an action, or see a file.
Isabela tapped the camera icon on her phone to take a selfie.
icon + tap/click — physical action on a touchscreen
Drag the folder icon into the trash to delete your old documents.
The Wi‑Fi icon in the top corner shows whether you are connected to the internet.
Felix double‑clicked the green icon to launch the video‑editing software.
文法句型
the/your + noun + icon
icon + for/of + noun
用法筆記
Common verbs paired with icon: click (on), tap, double‑click, drag, select. The icon is usually described by its function (email icon, settings icon, search icon) or its visual label (trash icon, magnifying‑glass icon).
常見錯誤
2. someone or something so widely famous that they come to represent a complete set
someone or something so widely famous that they come to represent a complete set of values, a historical era, or a cultural movement — for example, a singer who embodies teenage rebellion, or a landmark that defines an entire city.
The Sydney Opera House is an icon of modern architecture worldwide.
an icon of — pattern for expressing what the person/thing represents
Rosa Parks became an icon of civil rights by refusing to give up her seat.
an icon of + abstract quality (civil rights) — genuine public figure with widespread recognition
Coca‑Cola has become a global icon whose red logo is recognised in nearly every country.
Minho said the athlete was a sporting icon who inspired a generation of young runners.
- symbol
more neutral — does not carry the same weight of widespread fame and admiration
- legend
stronger — implies lasting fame over a long period, often after the person's active years
- figurehead
more formal — a leader who represents a movement but may not have active power
- nobody
an unknown or unimportant person
文法句型
(cultural/fashion/global) icon
an icon of + noun (belief/era/community)
用法筆記
This sense carries a strong positive connotation of admiration at scale — the person or thing must be widely recognised, not just personally important. For a personally meaningful figure, use 'role model' or 'hero'. Subject can be a person, place, brand, or object.
常見錯誤
3. a sacred portrait — usually painted on a wooden board or made as a mosaic — that
a sacred portrait — usually painted on a wooden board or made as a mosaic — that shows a holy individual such as Christ, the mother of Jesus, or a saint, and is given special honour during prayer in Orthodox Christianity.
A golden icon of Archangel Michael hung above the doorway of the small Greek church.
icon of + holy figure — typical form
Hassan learned how Byzantine monks painted icons using egg tempera on wooden panels.
The museum displayed a 14th‑century Russian icon of Saint George slaying the dragon.
Piotr lit a candle in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary and whispered a prayer.
- religious painting
more general — does not imply the specific Eastern Christian tradition of veneration
- image
broader — can mean any visual representation; lacks the ritual context
- portrait
focuses on likeness of a person, not on spiritual function
文法句型
icon of + holy person
painted/wooden/gold icon
用法筆記
In Eastern Christian practice, icons are venerated (honoured with gestures such as bowing or kissing) but not worshipped. The term is not typically used for Western religious paintings — those are called 'religious paintings' or 'altarpieces'. Distinguish from sense 4 (SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATION), where no religious context is implied.
常見錯誤
❌ 'There was an icon of Jesus on the wall of the Catholic church in Rome.' — works in casual speech for any religious image, but careful usage reserves 'icon' for the Eastern Christian tradition of panel paintings intended for veneration, not decorative Western wall paintings.
4. a visual mark, design, or object that stands for a particular quality, organisat
a visual mark, design, or object that stands for a particular quality, organisation, brand, or idea — such as a heart shape meaning love or a company logo representing its products.
The Statue of Liberty is an icon of freedom and hope for immigrants arriving in New York.
an icon of + abstract quality — the core grammatical pattern
Tamar designed a new icon for the charity that shows two hands forming a heart.
The Olympic rings are perhaps the most recognised sporting icon in the world.
Salma chose a simple tree icon for her organic‑food company because it suggests nature and health.
文法句型
an icon of + abstract quality (freedom/peace/justice)
become an icon for + group/organisation
用法筆記
This sense is broader than sense 2 (FAMOUS REPRESENTATIVE): it covers any symbol, not only famous ones. Anything can be 'an icon of X' — a dove as an icon of peace, a colour as an icon of a political party. Frequently used in branding and graphic design contexts.
常見錯誤
❌ 'The heart icon means love.' — acceptable, but 'the heart symbol' or 'the heart shape' is more natural for non‑screen contexts. Reserve 'icon' for deliberate logos, emblems, or UI elements.
icon — combining form
1. relating to an image, picture, or likeness; used as a prefix in nouns and adject
relating to an image, picture, or likeness; used as a prefix in nouns and adjectives that describe the use or study of visual symbols.
The course covers Renaissance art history and Christian iconography in detail.
iconography: study of visual symbols in art
An iconoclast is someone who attacks cherished beliefs or traditions.
iconoclast: person who attacks established beliefs
The iconostasis — a screen covered with icons — separates the altar from the main part of an Eastern Orthodox church.
Takeshi argued that the filmmaker used iconic camera angles to turn the setting into a symbolic character itself.
文法句型
icon- + noun
icon- + adjective suffix
用法筆記
The combining form icon- appears in English words borrowed from Greek or Latin. It is not used as a standalone prefix in modern English — the full borrowed word (iconography, iconoclast, iconometer) must be learned as a unit.