ikons
/ˈaɪˌkɒnz/
NOUN
1. Religious images or sacred representations
Images, pictures, or symbols representing sacred figures or religious subjects, usually serving as objects of religious devotion.
1.1. Sacred religious images
Visual representations of holy persons, saints, or divine figures used in religious worship, prayer, and devotion.
Synonyms
- icons
- religious images
- sacred images
- devotional images
- holy pictures
Examples
- The ancient church displayed beautiful ikons depicting scenes from religious history.
- Believers gathered before the sacred ikons to pray.
Related Words
- shrines
- relics
- altars
- saints
- worship
- veneration
1.2. Eastern Christian religious paintings
Traditional religious paintings, particularly in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, portraying Christ, the Virgin Mary, saints, or biblical scenes, often created on wooden panels.
Synonyms
- icons
- religious paintings
- sacred paintings
- icon paintings
Examples
- The monastery preserved several centuries-old ikons of Orthodox saints.
- The museum exhibited a collection of traditional Byzantine ikons.
Related Words
- iconography
- frescoes
- altarpieces
- Orthodox Christianity
- biblical art
- wooden panels
NOUN
2. Highly admired or exemplary people and things
People or things regarded as outstanding examples or embodiments of particular qualities, professions, cultural movements, or ideals.
2.1. Famous and influential people
Widely recognized, admired, or influential individuals who represent a particular profession, cultural movement, or generation.
Synonyms
- VIPs
- celebrities
- celebs
- luminaries
- notables
- notabilities
- dignitaries
- personalities
- stars
- superstars
- legends
- idols
- heroes
- megastars
Antonyms
- has-beens
- lightweights
- mediocrities
- nobodies
- noncelebrities
Examples
- The museum honored several cultural ikons who influenced generations of artists.
- These musicians became international ikons admired by millions.
Related Words
2.2. Embodiments of ideals or qualities
People or things that represent the clearest or most complete expression of a particular quality, ideal, concept, or characteristic.
Synonyms
- archetypes
- embodiments
- epitomes
- exemplars
- paragons
- paradigms
- personifications
- incarnations
- quintessences
- ideals
- models
Antonyms
- mediocrities
- nonentities
Examples
- The historical figures were regarded as ikons of courage and leadership.
- These architectural masterpieces became ikons of artistic excellence.
Related Words
- actualizations
- manifestations
- realizations
- concretizations
- instantiations
- personifications
- representations
- exemplifications
2.3. Recognized symbols of cultural significance
People, objects, or representations that have become widely recognized symbols of a particular era, movement, community, or cultural identity.
Synonyms
Examples
- The photographs captured the political ikons of an important historical period.
- Several landmarks have become enduring ikons of the city's identity.
Related Words
- causes célèbres
- images
- likenesses
- depictions
- portraits
- signs
- illustrations
NOUN
3. Graphical images and visual representations
Small pictures, symbols, or graphical representations used to communicate information or represent objects, concepts, or functions.
3.1. Computer and digital interface symbols
Small graphical images displayed on computer screens or digital interfaces to represent applications, files, commands, or functions.
Synonyms
- icons
- glyphs
- symbols
- pictograms
- ideograms
- ideographs
Examples
- The designer created a consistent set of ikons for the software interface.
- Users can click the ikons to access different application features.
Related Words
- graphics
- images
- illustrations
- diagrams
- signs
- interface elements
- shortcuts
3.2. Pictures and artistic representations
Visual depictions of people, objects, or scenes created through drawing, painting, photography, or other artistic techniques.
Synonyms
- images
- pictures
- illustrations
- depictions
- representations
- likenesses
- portraits
- pictographs
- drawings
- sketches
Examples
- The exhibition featured artistic ikons from different historical periods.
- The collection included painted ikons and detailed pictorial representations.
Related Words
- photographs
- collages
- caricatures
- cartoons
- etchings
- silhouettes
- watercolors
- diagrams
NOUN
4. Signs resembling what they represent
Words, characters, or signs whose forms resemble or imitate the objects, sounds, or concepts they represent.
4.1. Semiotic signs based on resemblance
Signs whose visual, auditory, or structural forms bear a recognizable resemblance to their referents, rather than relying solely on arbitrary convention.
Synonyms
- iconic signs
- representational signs
- pictorial signs
Antonyms
- arbitrary symbols
- conventional signs
Examples
- In semiotics, ikons represent their referents through recognizable similarities.
- Certain visual symbols function as ikons because their shapes resemble the objects they represent.
Related Words
- semiotics
- signifiers
- referents
- onomatopoeia
- ideograms
- pictograms