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

Anyone who gambled with that blood for the sake of symbolic triumph would have been accountable for the cost. —Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025

Monday evening’s symbolic signature ceremony marks a concrete start to the beginning of what promises to be a lasting peace, leaders hope, and the release of all remaining living Israeli hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees shows significant progress towards that goal. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 14 Oct. 2025

The crowd looked skyward as a military helicopter approached from Gaza, briefly diverting from its route to Ichilov Hospital to circle the square in a symbolic salute. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

Yet each new sale carries symbolic weight. —Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 13 Oct. 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