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Iconic vs Famous - What's the difference?

iconic | famous |

As adjectives the difference between iconic and famous

is that iconic is relating to, or having the characteristics of, an icon while famous is well known.

iconic

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Relating to, or having the characteristics of, an icon.
  • Famously and distinctively representative of its type.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=April 29 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Treehouse of Horror III” (season 4, episode 5; originally aired 10/29/1992) citation , page= , passage=In time The Simpsons would, indeed, resort to spoofing such decidedly non-spooktacular fare like E.T and Mr. And Mrs. Smith (both in “Treehouse Of Horror XVIII”) but in 1992 the field was wide-open and the show could cherry-pick the most iconic and beloved fright fare of all time.}}
  • (linguistics) Representing something; symbolic.
    • an iconic gesture in sign language

    Antonyms

    * (relating to an icon) aniconic * (linguistics) batonic

    famous

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Well known.
  • In the public eye.
    • Some people are only famous within their city.

    Synonyms

    * famed, noted, celebrated, well-known, renowned * See

    Derived terms

    * famously * famous last words

    Related terms

    * infamous