What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
icon
Example
Click on the camera icon to take a photo. [icon: noun]
Example
The Beatles are considered an icon of the 1960s music scene. [icon: noun]
Example
The church was decorated with beautiful icons of saints and angels. [icons: plural noun]
image
Example
The image of the sunset was captured perfectly in the photograph. [image: noun]
Example
The company's image suffered after the scandal was exposed. [image: noun]
Example
I have a clear image in my mind of what I want my future home to look like. [image: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Image is more commonly used than icon in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and subjects. Icon is more commonly used in the context of technology or computing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between icon and image?
Both icon and image can be used in formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject and purpose. However, icon may have a more technical or specialized connotation, while image may have a more artistic or creative connotation.
