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

Feigenbaum argues the project continues largely for symbolic reasons and because of political pressure. —Tina Li, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Their deaths marked not just the end of two singular careers, but the symbolic closing of a cultural chapter — one where larger-than-life personas still had to be built in real time, without hashtags or viral cycles to carry them. —Arkansas Online, 14 Aug. 2025

Read more: The Real Danger of the Trump-Putin Summit That is not to say that the summit was chosen solely for symbolic reasons. —Solcyré Burga, Time, 14 Aug. 2025

The Online Safety Act is a masterclass in unintended consequences and symbolic rulemaking. —James Czerniawski, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 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