symbolic
Americanadjective
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serving as a symbol of something (often followed byof ).
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of, relating to, or expressed by a symbol.
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characterized by or involving the use of symbols.
a highly symbolic poem.
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(in semantics, especially formerly) pertaining to a class of words that express only relations.
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Computers. expressed in characters, usually nonnumeric, that require translation before they can be used (opposed to absolute).
adjective
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of or relating to a symbol or symbols
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serving as a symbol
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characterized by the use of symbols or symbolism
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of symbolic
First recorded in 1650–60; from Late Latin symbolicus, from Greek symbolikós; see symbol, -ic
Explanation
When one thing represents something else that's more abstract, it is symbolic, like a cowboy's black hat in western films is symbolic of his sinister intentions. Images and designs on flags are often symbolic of something about a country, for instance, New Zealand's flag shows four stars that are symbolic of the constellation Crux. We're not sure exactly where the word symbolic came from, because several languages have similar words with similar meanings. The word could have come from the French symbolique, the Latin symbolicus, or the Greek sumbolikos.
Vocabulary lists containing symbolic
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 6
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The New SAT: The Language of the Test
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The ACT: The Language of the Test, List 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Tesla investors are gearing up for the company’s cybercab launch event, with experts split over whether it will be a huge deal or merely symbolic.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
A barrel of North Sea Brent crude, the international benchmark, climbed back above the symbolic $90 threshold to $90.31.
From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026
Previous research suggests that accumulative stone throwing is likely communicative or may even have a symbolic purpose, with sites marking important locations within the chimpanzees’ territory.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 28, 2026
"We developed a kind of art that is symbolic so that people will understand what we mean and the soldiers will not understand," he commented.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
Later, Ifemelu would think of the pregnancy as symbolic.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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.
