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

As with the murder of Clapham, this kind of symbolic aggression implies rage against British men as men. —Literary Hub, 26 May 2026

Ferrari unveiled the Ferrari Luce electric vehicle in the symbolic setting of the Vela di Calatrava, Città dello Sport in Rome in May, 2026. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 26 May 2026

For roughly a thousand years, the right to manufacture and ship the cloth from Cairo to Mecca was symbolic of who claimed legitimate rule over the Muslim world. —Iqbal Akhtar, The Conversation, 25 May 2026

This is a particularly shrewd gambit - on multiple symbolic and practical levels. —Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 25 May 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