symbolic

adjective

sym·​bol·​ic sim-ˈbä-lik 

variants or less commonly symbolical

sim-ˈbä-li-kəl 

1

a

: using, employing, or exhibiting a symbol

b

: consisting of or proceeding by means of symbols

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a symbol

3

: characterized by or terminating in symbols

symbolic thinking

4

: characterized by symbolism

a symbolic dance

symbolically

sim-ˈbä-li-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• emblematic
• emblematical
• representational
• representative

Examples of symbolic in a Sentence

The lighting of the candles is symbolic.

The sharing of the wine has symbolic meaning.

Recent Examples on the Web

During the Soweto Uprising, one photo became symbolic of resistance against apartheid. —Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

The very structure of the museum is symbolic of this. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2025

Related article Infants and young children are being raped as a weapon of war in Sudan, UNICEF says Retaking Khartoum would be symbolic for the SAF whose rival the RSF had begun steps to establish a parallel government. —Nimi Princewill, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025

Glucksmann shot back on social media that nobody was coming for the statue, and his comment had been symbolic. —The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing symbolic

• symbolic gesture
• symbolic logic

Rhymes for symbolic

• bucolic
• carbolic
• embolic
• glycolic
• hydraulic
• phenolic
• podzolic
• systolic
• alcoholic
• anabolic
• apostolic
• catabolic

Kids Definition

symbolic

adjective

sym·​bol·​ic sim-ˈbäl-ik 

variants also symbolical

-i-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or using symbols or symbolism

a symbolic meaning

symbolic art

2

: having the function or meaning of a symbol

symbolically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb