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sound symbolism

American

noun

Linguistics.

a nonarbitrary connection between phonetic features of linguistic items and their meanings, as in the frequent occurrence of close vowels in words denoting smallness, as petite and teeny-weeny.

Etymology

Origin of sound symbolism

First recorded in 1875–80

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 design shows her guiding a lion, said to symbolise her poise and the strength of the British nation under her leadership.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Some attendees carried Israeli flags and some wore the yellow ribbon that has come to symbolise Israel's hostage ordeal for more than two years.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

They are intended to symbolise children who want to learn, play and be included but get left behind because of their complex needs, the campaigners said.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025

Nvidia reportedly chose the restaurant, Kkanbu -- meaning "friend" and popularised by the megahit series "Squid Game" -- to symbolise cooperation on artificial intelligence and chipmaking.

From Barron's • Nov. 1, 2025

Others substitute for the pestles a pack-saddle with two bags of grain in order to symbolise their camp life.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023