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 of symbolic

• representative
• representational
• emblematic

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

There’s elements of ‘The Oresteia’ that are very strongly in the Agnes-Marozia-Liuprand love triangle, down to the symbolic sacrifice of the daughter. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026

The palace, looming grandly just behind the stage, was lit up with a dynamic video projection, integrating it into the concert — the first time the historic and deeply symbolic structure had ever been used for a pop show. —Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026

Others incorporated pops of purple, the symbolic color of BTS and their fanbase. —Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026

In a Brooklyn apartment, Nozlee Samadzadeh thinks about family while building a haft sin, a traditional Nowruz table with symbolic objects on it. —Sarah Ventre, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026

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