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

Together, these architectural and symbolic elements mediate between order and chaos, memory and transformation. — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026

At the higher level, symbolic planning represents objects, actions and their relationships, allowing the robot to determine the sequence needed to reach a goal. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026

Then, just to keep us guessing, Pugh attended a press event at New York’s Paley Center in an ethereal all-white Erdem gown, a personification of symbolic innocence. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

For beauty founders, launching your brand in retail stores carries symbolic weight. — Rhea Cartwright, Vogue, 2 Oct. 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