Icon vs. Meme — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 17, 2024
An icon is a symbol or image that represents something significant, while a meme is a humorous or viral piece of media that spreads rapidly online.
Difference Between Icon and Meme
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An icon is a symbol or image that holds significant meaning and represents an idea, person, or object. Icons are often used in religious, cultural, and digital contexts. A meme, on the other hand, is a piece of media, often humorous, that spreads quickly across the internet. Memes can take the form of images, videos, phrases, or gifs and are usually created and shared with the intention of eliciting humor or commentary on various topics.
Icons are typically static and enduring symbols that maintain a consistent meaning over time. They are used for representation and communication in various fields, such as religious icons in Christianity or application icons on a computer. Memes are dynamic and ephemeral, constantly changing as they adapt to current events and cultural trends. They thrive on their ability to be quickly understood and easily shared.
In the digital world, icons are essential for navigation and user interface design, providing intuitive and recognizable symbols for users. Memes, however, are more focused on social interaction, entertainment, and cultural expression, often reflecting and influencing public opinion and social trends.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Symbol or image representing something significant
Humorous or viral media spread online
Context
Religious, cultural, digital
Internet, social media
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Nature
Static, enduring
Dynamic, ephemeral
Purpose
Representation, communication
Humor, social commentary
Example
Religious icons, app icons
Image macros, viral videos
Compare with Definitions
Icon
A person or thing regarded as a representative symbol.
Michael Jackson is considered a pop culture icon.
Meme
An idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture.
The phrase Keep Calm and Carry On became a popular meme.
Icon
An emblem or representation with significant cultural meaning.
The Statue of Liberty is an icon of freedom.
Meme
A cultural element that is passed along and evolves.
Internet memes often reflect current events and trends.
Icon
A small graphic used in digital interfaces.
The desktop had icons for various applications.
Meme
A form of social commentary or humor expressed through digital content.
Memes are often used to make light of political situations.
Icon
An icon (from the Greek εἰκών eikṓn 'image, resemblance') is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, the Roman Catholic, and certain Eastern Catholic churches. They are not simply artworks; "an icon is a sacred image used in religious devotion".
Meme
A humorous piece of media that spreads rapidly online.
The Distracted Boyfriend meme became popular on social media.
Icon
A devotional painting of Christ or another holy figure, typically executed on wood and used ceremonially in the Byzantine and other Eastern Churches.
Meme
A viral image, video, or phrase shared widely on the internet.
The Grumpy Cat meme gained widespread popularity.
Icon
A person or thing regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration
This iron-jawed icon of American manhood
Meme
A meme ( MEEM) is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads by means of imitation from person to person within a culture and often carries symbolic meaning representing a particular phenomenon or theme. A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices, that can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena with a mimicked theme.
Icon
A symbol or graphic representation on a screen of a program, option, or window.
Meme
An element of a culture or system of behaviour passed from one individual to another by imitation or other non-genetic means.
Icon
A sign which has a characteristic in common with the thing it signifies, for example the word snarl pronounced in a snarling way.
Meme
An image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by Internet users, often with slight variations.
Icon
An image; a representation.
Meme
A unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another.
Icon
A representation or picture of a sacred or sanctified Christian personage, traditionally used and venerated in the Eastern Church.
Meme
An image or short video clip, often accompanied by a humorous saying or popular catchphrase, that is transmitted virally, especially on social media.
Icon
An important and enduring symbol
"The disposable lighter is an icon of the throwaway mentality that began to take shape in the years following World War II" (Susan Freinkel).
Meme
A humorous saying or popular catchphrase that is transmitted virally, especially as a caption for such an image or video clip.
Icon
One who is the object of great attention and devotion; an idol
"He is ... a pop icon designed and manufactured for the video generation" (Harry F. Waters).
Meme
(originally) Any unit of (originally cultural) information, such as a practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another in a comparable way to the transmission of genes.
Icon
(Computers) A picture on a screen that represents a specific file, directory, window, option, or program.
Meme
(Internet) Media, usually humorous, which is copied and circulated online with slight adaptations, such as basic pictures, video templates, etc.
Icon
An image, symbol, picture, or other representation usually as an object of religious devotion.
Meme
(Internet) A specific instance of a meme, such as an image macro or a video, often with humorous superimposed text.
This meme generator lets you make your own memes by adding a caption to existing images, or by uploading your own image.
I'm always posting memes on the groupchat.
Icon
A type of religious painting portraying a saint or scene from Scripture, often done on wooden panels.
Meme
Something not to be taken seriously; a joke.
It's a meme degree, you know. Good luck getting a job from that.
Jogging is a meme.
Icon
(by extension) A person or thing that is the best example of a certain profession or some doing.
That man is an icon in the business; he personifies loyalty and good business sense.
Meme
Granny; nana
Icon
(graphical user interface) A small picture that represents something.
Click the loudspeaker icon to configure audio settings.
Meme
To create and use humorous memes.
Icon
A word, character, or sign whose form reflects and is determined by the referent; onomatopoeic words are necessarily all icons.
Meme
To turn into a meme; to use a meme, especially to achieve a goal in real life.
To meme into existence
Icon
An image or representation; a portrait or pretended portrait.
Netherlands whose names and icons are published.
Meme
To joke around.
Icon
A sacred picture representing the Virgin Mary, Christ, a saint, or a martyr, and having the same function as an image of such a person in the Latin Church. The term is used especially for a highly stylized and conventionalized representation of a holy person, rich in symbolism and used in devotional services in many of the eastern Orthodox churches, especially the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches.
Meme
A cultural unit (an idea or value or pattern of behavior) that is passed from one generation to another by nongenetic means (as by imitation);
Memes are the cultrual counterpart of genes
Icon
A symbol, especially a symbol whose form suggests its meaning or the object it represents.
Icon
A graphical symbol for a data object whose form suggests the nature or function of the object; especially, such a symbol as viewed on the computer screen.
Icon
Any object of uncritical devotion.
The former congresswoman and Vice-Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro is still an icon to many party members.
Icon
An outstanding example of something which has come to represent the class of things to which it belongs; a paragon; used of persons as well as objects.
Icon
(computer science) a graphic symbol (usually a simple picture) that denotes a program or a command or a data file or a concept in a graphical user interface
Icon
A visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface;
They showed us the pictures of their wedding
A movie is a series of images projected so rapidly that the eye integrates them
Icon
A conventional religious painting in oil on a small wooden panel; venerated in the Eastern Church
Icon
A symbol or graphic representation of something significant.
The heart icon represents love and affection.
Icon
A religious image used in worship.
The church displayed an icon of Saint Peter.
Common Curiosities
What is an icon?
An icon is a symbol or image representing something significant.
What is the main purpose of a meme?
The main purpose of a meme is to entertain and provide social commentary.
Where are icons commonly used?
Icons are commonly used in religious, cultural, and digital contexts.
Can an icon be a person?
Yes, a person can be considered an icon if they symbolize significant cultural or social values.
How do memes spread?
Memes spread quickly through the internet, especially on social media platforms.
Do memes have a long lifespan?
Memes are often ephemeral, rapidly changing and evolving with cultural trends.
Are all icons religious?
No, icons can be religious, cultural, or digital symbols.
Can memes influence public opinion?
Yes, memes can reflect and influence public opinion and social trends.
Are icons static or dynamic?
Icons are typically static and enduring symbols.
What defines a meme?
A meme is a humorous or viral piece of media that spreads rapidly online.
What is an example of a digital icon?
E.g., The envelope icon represents email in digital interfaces.
What is a common format for memes?
Common formats for memes include images, videos, and gifs with humorous captions.
Can memes become outdated?
Yes, memes often become outdated as new ones emerge and cultural trends shift.
How are icons used in technology?
Icons in technology provide intuitive symbols for navigation and user interfaces.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
