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

“That’s not about being Latino or Asian. It’s about not just symbolic representation but material representation. So that Boyle Heights doesn’t just become a historically Latino community — that it stays one.”

From Los Angeles Times

“As a single frame, the image is symbolic to the tone of the whole movie,” says cinematographer Lawrence Sher.

From Los Angeles Times

Both Harris and Trump’s interest in this policy change was largely symbolic during this election as both campaigns had other, larger legislative priorities.

From Salon

The governor’s proclamation for the largely symbolic special session says his administration anticipates that Trump could seek to limit access to abortion medication, pursue a national abortion ban, dismantle environmental protections, repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and withhold federal disaster response funding, among other promises he made during the campaign.

From Los Angeles Times

Global average temperatures across the year are on track to end up more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, which would make 2024 the first calendar year to breach this symbolic mark.

From BBC

Related Words

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