WordGarden.iounicorn
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /jˈuːnɪkˌɔːn/
US
- /ˈjunɪˌkɔrn/
Meanings
Noun
a mythical horse-like creature with a single horn
a startup company valued at more than one billion dollars
(informal)a very rare or highly desirable person or thing
More meaningsFewer meanings
(slang)in non-monogamy slang, a bisexual woman or other person sought by an established couple
Beyond the definition
A unicorn is best known as a legendary creature: a white, horse-like animal with a single spiral horn on its forehead. For centuries, it has stood for purity, grace, and magic in myths and old stories. It often appears as a shy, wild creature that is hard to catch and sometimes can only be tamed by a virgin.
But "unicorn" is not just about fantasy. In modern business, it also means a privately owned startup company valued at more than $1 billion. These companies are seen as rare and very successful, much like the mythical creature. So you might read about tech unicorns changing industries or investors looking for the next one.
The image of the unicorn has moved through human imagination for thousands of years. First described in ancient Greece, this creature changed over time in stories and came to be linked with healing powers and wild nature. Medieval bestiaries (animal encyclopedias) often showed unicorns as fierce, lion-like animals that could only be captured by a virgin maiden. This idea helped fix the unicorn's meaning as a symbol of purity and innocence.
In art and literature, unicorns stand for magic, wonder, and beauty that feels almost out of reach. They appear in tapestries, poems, and modern fantasy stories such as Harry Potter. The horn itself was often believed to have healing power and to be able to purify water or neutralize poison.
However, the term "unicorn" took on a new meaning in the world of venture capital in 2013. Tech investor Aileen Lee coined the term to describe rare, privately held startup companies valued at $1 billion or more. Companies like Airbnb, Uber, and SpaceX have all been called unicorns, showing unusual growth and strong promise. This newer meaning points to rarity and remarkable success, echoing the mythical creature's hard-to-find nature.
So whether you are lost in a fairy-tale forest or following tech news, "unicorn" can bring to mind magical creatures or highly valuable companies. In both cases, the word suggests something special, rare, and much wanted.
Examples
- 1
Mythical creature
In the story, a unicorn appears by the lake at sunrise.
- 2
Merchandise
The little shop sells notebooks, mugs, and other unicorn-themed gifts.
- 3
Rare find
An affordable apartment with a garden is a unicorn in this city.
- 4
Startup valuation
Investors hope the startup will become the next tech unicorn.
- Domaintech unicorn
a private company valued at over $1 billion
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Funding milestone
The company reached unicorn status after its latest funding round.
- Phrasereach unicorn status
become a unicorn company
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- unicornnoun
Forms
- unicornspluralnoun