emblematic

adjective

em·​blem·​at·​ic ˌem-blə-ˈma-tik 

variants or less commonly emblematical

ˌem-blə-ˈma-ti-kəl 

: of, relating to, or constituting an emblem : symbolic, representative

emblematically

ˌem-blə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of emblematic

• symbolic
• representative

Examples of emblematic in a Sentence

the dove is emblematic of the organization's mission to bring some peace to a troubled world

Recent Examples on the Web

Larsen and Letteney draw a direct comparison between Simitthus and the notorious Eastern State Penitentiary, built in nineteenth-century Pennsylvania, one of Foucault’s emblematic Enlightenment prisons. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025

Rafael Ithier, founder of the emblematic salsa group El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, has died at age 99. —Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR, 7 Dec. 2025

The Coast Guard said the incident was emblematic of its accelerated focus on confronting drug trafficking networks by expanding operations and deploying new technology at sea, CBS News reported. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

Yet what unfolded is a tale that’s frustratingly emblematic. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin emblēmaticus, from emblēmat-, emblēma emblem entry 1 + -icus -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for emblematic

• achromatic
• acrobatic
• adriatic
• aliphatic
• antistatic
• aromatic
• astigmatic
• autocratic
• automatic
• bureaucratic
• charismatic
• cholestatic

Kids Definition

emblematic

adjective

em·​blem·​at·​ic ˌem-blə-ˈmat-ik 

variants also emblematical

-ˈmat-i-kəl 

: of, relating to, or serving as an emblem : symbolic