What does unicorn mean?
A unicorn is a legendary creature, most often imagined as a white, horse-like animal with a single horn on its forehead. Medieval and European traditions associated unicorns with purity, untamed nature, and extraordinary power, while merchants sometimes sold narwhal tusks as genuine unicorn horns. In heraldry, the unicorn became a distinct emblem, traditionally combining a horse's body with a goat's beard and cloven hooves. The word also has a modern business meaning: a private startup company valued at one billion dollars or more. In that context, “unicorn” is loosely defined and can describe a company whose valuation is expected to rise rapidly. Across these uses, the mythical animal remains the dominant association. The word is useful because it joins an ancient symbol of wonder with a contemporary label for exceptional commercial value.
nounA unicorn is a legendary, usually horse-like creature with a single horn projecting from its forehead. In modern business usage, a unicorn is a startup company valued at at least one billion dollars.
- A legendary, usually horse-like creature traditionally depicted with one horn on its forehead.
- A startup company valued at one billion dollars or more.
- A heraldic unicorn, conventionally represented with a goat's beard and cloven hooves and often shown chained.
"The story of the unicorn, with its purity and impossible grace, has endured for centuries."
"A silver unicorn stood beside the moon in the painting."
"The young technology company became a unicorn after its latest funding round."
The regular plural is used for multiple legendary creatures, multiple companies, or multiple examples within either category.
"Two unicorns appear in the medieval tapestry, while several modern startups have become unicorns."
Narwhal tusks were once sold as unicorn horns—and prized as poison detectors.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unicorn come from?
The English word entered through Middle English from Old French and Medieval Latin forms of the Latin “unicornis.” The Latin name combines “uni-,” meaning “one,” with “cornu,” meaning “horn.” Its modern meaning developed from the established medieval tradition of the one-horned creature.
How unicorn is actually used
The word is normally countable, with the plural “unicorns.” As a business term, it is informal industry jargon and is usually used in financial or technology contexts. The traditional heraldic unicorn differs somewhat from other artistic depictions of the mythical creature.