What it means
Calling something iconic means it is so memorable and distinctive it has become a reference point, the kind of look, line or moment everyone instantly recognises. Reserved for the truly unforgettable.
Usage examples
"That exit line was absolutely iconic."
"Her red carpet look last night? Iconic."
"The way she just sipped her drink and walked off was iconic."
"That meme's so iconic people still quote it years later."
Where it comes from
It comes from icon, a word rooted in Greek eikōn meaning image or likeness. In English, iconic first meant something tied to an icon or a famous visual image. From there it spread in everyday speech into pop culture praise for anything instantly recognisable, unforgettable, and big enough to leave a cultural dent.
Other ways to say it
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