Words / A1

YSB-urg/ˈaɪsbɜːɡ/

An iceberg is a huge piece of ice floating in the sea. Countable: an iceberg, icebergs. Ice is the material; an iceberg is one giant block. The tip of the iceberg is a later idiom meaning only a small part of a bigger problem. Ice cream is a dessert — different word.

Meaning

A very large piece of ice floating in the sea.

Examples

• “The ship sailed past an iceberg.”
• “The ship turned to miss the iceberg.”
• “Only a small part of an iceberg sits above the water.”

Good to know

an iceberg / icebergs. Contrast: ice (the material); ice cream (food). Later idiom: the tip of the iceberg.

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