emblematic
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of emblematic
1635–45; < Greek emblēmat-, stem of émblēma ( see emblem) + -ic
Explanation
Something emblematic is symbolic. Empty buildings are emblematic of a city in decline, and a crown is emblematic of royalty. If you know that an emblem is a visual symbol, then you won't be surprised that emblematic things stand for other things. In fact, the word emblem comes from the French word for symbol. Something emblematic represents a larger issue, good or bad. Sometimes emblematic is used for things that are excellent examples. An A student is an emblematic student, and a war hero is an emblematic soldier. Emblematic people are symbols of what others aspire to be.
Vocabulary lists containing emblematic
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
