iceberg theory

noun

A minimalist literary approach used by Ernest Hemingway, according to which the writer should omit as much as possible, leaving the reader to infer it.

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Meanings

nouniceberg theory (uncountable)
  1. uncountableliteratureA minimalist literary approach used by Ernest Hemingway, according to which the writer should omit as much as possible, leaving the reader to infer it.

Origin

An allusion to the greater part of an iceberg being hidden below the water.

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Cite this entry
APA

iceberg theory. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/iceberg%20theory

MLA

“iceberg theory.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/iceberg%20theory. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “iceberg theory,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/iceberg%20theory.

Source: iceberg theory on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.