unicorn

unicorn — noun

1. a legendary white animal that looks like a horse and has one pointed horn on its

1.名詞B1
釋義

a legendary white animal that looks like a horse and has one pointed horn on its forehead, often drawn with a long mane and tail

例句

The child drew a unicorn with a sparkling golden horn and a long flowing tail.

typical collocations: golden horn / flowing tail

In old tales, a unicorn lives in an enchanted forest safe from hunters.

同義詞
  • mythical creature

    broader term covering all legendary beasts, not specific to a horse-like animal with a horn

  • magical horse

    emphasises the equine appearance and magical quality; less precise

常見錯誤

❌The zoo has a new unicorn from Africa.
✅The zoo has a new rhinoceros from Africa.
💡unicorns are mythical creatures, not real animals.

2. a young company, especially in the technology sector, that has been given a valu

2.名詞B2
釋義

a young company, especially in the technology sector, that has been given a value of more than one billion dollars by investors

例句

The software startup reached unicorn status after its third round of funding from investors.

collocation: reach unicorn status

Ayesha joined the firm before it became a unicorn, so her shares grew valuable.

verb pattern: became a unicorn

同義詞

文法句型

become a unicorn

reach unicorn status

用法筆記

Common in business journalism and technology news. The term was coined around 2013 by venture capitalist Aileen Lee to stress how rare billion-dollar startups are. Frequently appears in the phrase 'unicorn status' or in the modifier position (e.g. 'a unicorn startup').

常見錯誤

❌Our café made a million dollars, so we are a unicorn.
✅Our tech startup was valued at over a billion dollars, so we are a unicorn.
💡the term specifically requires a valuation above one billion dollars, not just any success.

3. a person or thing that is exceptionally unusual and extremely hard to discover,

3.名詞B2
釋義

a person or thing that is exceptionally unusual and extremely hard to discover, even though many people are looking for one

例句

A truly honest politician is something of a unicorn in any country.

figurative use: something of a unicorn

The first-edition comic book was a unicorn among collectors — only five copies exist.

structure: a unicorn among [group]

同義詞
  • rarity

    neutral term; lacks the colourful, slightly playful tone of 'unicorn'

  • needle in a haystack

    idiom with similar meaning; more informal and vivid

反義詞
  • dime a dozen

    idiom describing something very common and easy to find

文法句型

something of a unicorn

a unicorn among [group]

用法筆記

Typically used in informal or figurative contexts. Carries a tone of mild exaggeration — the speaker is comparing something rare to a mythical creature for effect. Often appears in the phrase 'something of a unicorn' or 'a unicorn among [plural noun]'. Distinguish from sense 2 (VALUED STARTUP), which is a specific business use — this sense applies to any rare person, object, or situation.

常見錯誤

❌Rain in the desert is a unicorn phenomenon.
✅Rain in the desert is a rare phenomenon.
💡'unicorn' as an adjective describing a noun (like 'unicorn phenomenon') is non-standard; use 'unicorn' as a predicate noun or as part of 'something of a unicorn'.

unicorn — adjective