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

• representational
• representative
• metaphorical

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

One such symbolic reconstruction currently underway in Ukrainian society relates to the vivid exchange on how Ukraine situates itself in the post-Soviet and Eastern European realm. —Joanna Warsza, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025

The Sweet Idleness imagines a future world in which only 1% of humanity still works, transforming labor into a symbolic ritual, while the rest of the population lives in the freedom and leisure provided by machines. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025

Taiwan’s MOUs with Poland and Ukraine are not symbolic. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025

The sight of Modric and Rabiot dug-in and then dashing out of the trenches was symbolic of a new spirit at the club. —James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 Sep. 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