symbolic

[ sim-bol-ik ]

adjective

1. serving as a symbol of something (often followed by of ).
2. of, relating to, or expressed by a symbol.
3. characterized by or involving the use of symbols:

   a highly symbolic poem.

4. (in semantics, especially formerly) pertaining to a class of words that express only relations. Compare notional ( def 7 ).
5. Computers. expressed in characters, usually nonnumeric, that require translation before they can be used ( absolute ).

symbolic

/ sɪmˈbɒlɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to a symbol or symbols
2. serving as a symbol
3. characterized by the use of symbols or symbolism

Derived Forms

• symˈbolicalness, noun
• symˈbolically, adverb

Other Words From

• sym·boli·cal·ly adverb
• sym·boli·cal·ness noun
• nonsym·bolic adjective
• nonsym·boli·cal adjective
• nonsym·boli·cal·ly adverb
• nonsym·boli·cal·ness noun
• unsym·bolic adjective
• unsym·boli·cal adjective
• unsym·boli·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of symbolic¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Late Latin symbolicus, from Greek symbolikós; symbol, -ic

Example Sentences

The financial terms were largely symbolic as Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy has put it deeply in debt and its earnings from OxyContin have plunged.

From Washington Post

Sadly, Puerto Rico is an island full of symbolic laws, which are usually ignored by law enforcement authorities and have no consequences.

From Washington Blade

Closing off the Capitol would be an enormous symbolic victory for the insurrectionists.

From Washington Post

Wednesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting is symbolic in that the county is essentially opening the floor to new supervisors and the public who have other ideas to reach this target.

From Voice of San Diego

Tokyo 2020 will be symbolic to prove that people, all together from across the world, have defeated the virus.

From Time

Bridging the divide between the police and those who distrust them will take more than protests and symbolic gestures.

From The Daily Beast

Your death is symbolic of the harsh reality facing so many of us.

From The Daily Beast

Along the way, he accidentally embeds a nail in his foot, which is not symbolic at all.

From The Daily Beast

But the amendment was non-binding -- and thus largely symbolic.

From The Daily Beast

She lost that claim long ago, but her symbolic importance has only grown.

From The Daily Beast

In like manner the mouth, from being a bare symbolic indication, gradually takes on form and likeness.

From Project Gutenberg

This element of symbolic indication will be found to run through the whole of childish drawing.

From Project Gutenberg

The celebrant sprinkled the victim with wine and salted cake, and made a symbolic gesture with the knife.

From Project Gutenberg

Because of its recumbent position, symbolic of General Lee resting on a battlefield cot, this statue is considered most unique.

From Project Gutenberg

If she was no longer a symbolic and sympathetic figure—like that young mother among her children—she had her own claims.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allegorical
• emblematic
• figurative
• significant
• symptomatic
• token
• typical