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.
The death penalty is largely symbolic in South Korea.
"That's more likely… if the strike is symbolic or a one off."
From BBC
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
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.
