noun
Uncommon
iceberg
YS-burg
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.”
noun
1
A huge chunk of freshwater ice that has broken off a glacier or ice shelf and floats in the ocean.
"The ship altered course to avoid a massive iceberg."
"Only a small part of an iceberg shows above the water."
2
A person who seems cold, distant, or emotionally unreachable.
"He acted like an iceberg during the whole meeting, giving nothing away."
How to use iceberg
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large floating mass of ice, or figuratively, something whose true scale is mostly hidden.
Memory tip
"The tip of the iceberg" means only a small, visible part of a much bigger problem.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
tip of the iceberg
hit an iceberg
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Word forms
- Plural
- icebergs
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
View more →Related words
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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