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 (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
- nonsymbolic adjective
- nonsymbolical adjective
- nonsymbolically adverb
- nonsymbolicalness noun
- symbolically adverb
- symbolicalness noun
- unsymbolic adjective
- unsymbolical adjective
- unsymbolically adverb
Etymology
Origin of symbolic
First recorded in 1650–60; from Late Latin symbolicus, from Greek symbolikós; symbol, -ic
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.
On his previous trip to the UK last September, Prince Harry had a private meeting with his father in London that was seen as a symbolic step towards improving family relationships.
From BBC
"Practically speaking, this is really a symbolic change," said Chad O'Carroll, whose specialist website NK News hosts a platform for reading North Korean media.
From Barron's
The family now holds no political power under the post-war constitution but remains hugely symbolic.
From Barron's
Mamdani, 34, began his term just after midnight in a private ceremony at the decommissioned Old City Hall subway station, a symbolic nod to the city’s transit history and working-class communities.
From Salon
They formed their own women's circuit, signing a symbolic $1 contract to compete in a tournament in Texas.
From BBC
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.
