iceberg
Iceberg (noun) means a huge chunk of freshwater ice that has broken off a glacier or ice shelf and floats in the ocean. Example: “The ship altered course to avoid a massive iceberg.”
How to Use Iceberg
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large floating mass of ice, or figuratively, something whose true scale is mostly hidden.
"The tip of the iceberg" means only a small, visible part of a much bigger problem.
Trace the full origin ↓Word Forms
icebergs plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The ship altered course to avoid a massive _____.
Etymology
Adapted from Dutch ijsberg, literally "ice mountain."
Synonyms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does “iceberg” mean?
The word “iceberg” means a huge chunk of freshwater ice that has broken off a glacier or ice shelf and floats in the ocean. In plain terms, a large floating mass of ice, or figuratively, something whose true scale is mostly hidden.
How do you pronounce “iceberg”?
“Iceberg” is pronounced YS-burg (/ˈaɪsbɝɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “iceberg” in a sentence?
Here is “iceberg” used in a sentence: “The ship altered course to avoid a massive iceberg.”
What part of speech is “iceberg”?
“Iceberg” is a noun.
Where does the word “iceberg” come from?
The word “iceberg” comes from Dutch. Adapted from Dutch ijsberg, literally "ice mountain.".
Is “iceberg” a common word?
“Iceberg” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “iceberg” have?
“Iceberg” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a huge chunk of freshwater ice that has broken off a glacier or ice shelf and floats in the ocean.
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