The present research investigates the phenomenon of de-iconization of the Russian imitative vocabulary. We present the results of an experimental study on the visual recognition of Russian imitative (iconic) words by native speakers. Statistically significant differences in terms of speed and accuracy of recognition were found between iconic and non-iconic words as well as between the four studied groups of iconic words. The research results empirically confirm the gradation of imitative vocabulary according to the stages of de-iconization, previously identified only by methods of lexicological research.