symbolic
Americanadjective
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serving as a symbol of something (often followed byof ).
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of, relating to, or expressed by a symbol.
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characterized by or involving the use of symbols.
a highly symbolic poem.
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(in semantics, especially formerly) pertaining to a class of words that express only relations.
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Computers. expressed in characters, usually nonnumeric, that require translation before they can be used (absolute ).
adjective
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of or relating to a symbol or symbols
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serving as a symbol
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characterized by the use of symbols or symbolism
Other Word Forms
- nonsymbolic adjective
- nonsymbolical adjective
- nonsymbolically adverb
- nonsymbolicalness noun
- symbolically adverb
- symbolicalness noun
- unsymbolic adjective
- unsymbolical adjective
- unsymbolically adverb
Etymology
Origin of symbolic
First recorded in 1650–60; from Late Latin symbolicus, from Greek symbolikós; symbol, -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This fact, according to León, “marks a structural widening of the conflict beyond contained or symbolic strikes.”
From MarketWatch
This fact, according to León, “marks a structural widening of the conflict beyond contained or symbolic strikes.”
From MarketWatch
Any successor will likely have less personal authority than Khamenei and serve a more symbolic role.
It brings with it symbolic recognition and the opportunity to maintain a formal connection to the university.
From Salon
Across the tent, in a display of performance art, Amanda Ross-Ho continuously pushes a giant, inflatable Earth around a soccer field, symbolic of “the labor it takes to just keep things going all the time.”
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
