Symbol
noun
Something that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object that stands for something abstract.
The dove is a universal symbol of peace.
Often appears as...
- symbol of peace
- national symbol
noun
A letter or character used in a system of symbolic notation, especially in mathematics or music.
+ and - are symbols used in mathematics.
Often appears as...
- mathematical symbol
- musical symbol
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A shape or sign used to represent something such as an organization, e.g. a red cross or a Star of David.
The company's symbol is a tree.
Often appears as...
- company symbol
- organization symbol
noun
An action, object or idea that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality.
The journey in the story is a symbol of the protagonist's personal growth.
Often appears as...
- literary symbol
- symbolism in literature
Usage tips
Literary
noun
A thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a physical object representing an abstract idea in psychoanalysis.
In his dream, the mountain might be a symbol for a big problem in his life.
Often appears as...
- psychoanalytical symbol
- dream symbol
Usage tips
Academic
noun
Something that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object that stands for something abstract.
The dove is a universal symbol of peace.
Often appears as...
- symbol of peace
- national symbol
noun
A letter or character used in a system of symbolic notation, especially in mathematics or music.
+ and - are symbols used in mathematics.
Often appears as...
- mathematical symbol
- musical symbol
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A shape or sign used to represent something such as an organization, e.g. a red cross or a Star of David.
The company's symbol is a tree.
Often appears as...
- company symbol
- organization symbol
noun
An action, object or idea that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality.
The journey in the story is a symbol of the protagonist's personal growth.
Often appears as...
- literary symbol
- symbolism in literature
Usage tips
Literary
noun
A thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a physical object representing an abstract idea in psychoanalysis.
In his dream, the mountain might be a symbol for a big problem in his life.
Often appears as...
- psychoanalytical symbol
- dream symbol
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/2Abstract Ideas
A symbol transforms a complex idea into a simple form or image, allowing it to be easily recognized and understood.
The heart symbol commonly represents love.
Pro Tip 2/2Cultural Variance
Symbols can have different meanings in different cultures, so it's essential to know the cultural context when using them.
In some cultures, an owl is a symbol of wisdom, while in others, it signifies misfortune.
Pro Tip 1/2Abstract Ideas
A symbol transforms a complex idea into a simple form or image, allowing it to be easily recognized and understood.
The heart symbol commonly represents love.
Pro Tip 2/2Cultural Variance
Symbols can have different meanings in different cultures, so it's essential to know the cultural context when using them.
In some cultures, an owl is a symbol of wisdom, while in others, it signifies misfortune.
Pro Tip 1/2Abstract Ideas
A symbol transforms a complex idea into a simple form or image, allowing it to be easily recognized and understood.
The heart symbol commonly represents love.
Pro Tip 2/2Cultural Variance
Symbols can have different meanings in different cultures, so it's essential to know the cultural context when using them.
In some cultures, an owl is a symbol of wisdom, while in others, it signifies misfortune.
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Video examples
Catching up with...
there's a lot of talented young people on the world that they can be able actually inspired by that information to do the project in their own communities so their problems that's what I'm hoping like to continue doing to share my experience and my knowledge whatever you you struck me in such a symbol of all that we've been talking about this week
Video examples
The history of tattoos -...
according maybe to his humor or different circumstances of his life." Maybe your particular humor and circumstances suggest getting a symbol of cultural heritage, a sign of spirituality, sexual energy, or good old-fashioned avant-garde defiance. A reminder of a great accomplishment,
Video examples
Incredible Orangutan...
when he uses that diamond shaped symbol with the two lines inside you tell me what you want me to do with this closed container okay open all right good that was actually a very good choice because there's a little something in there for him mistakes are are actually quite rare
Video examples
Why is Vermeer's "Girl...
also emphasizes the worldliness of the merchant class, and the pearl itself, a symbol of wealth, is actually an exaggeration. Vermeer couldn't have afforded a real pearl of its size. It was likely just a glass or tin drop varnished to look like a pearl.
Video examples
Why do we kiss under...
Hearing the news, Frigg became so overjoyed that she transformed the mistletoe from a symbol of death into one of peace and love. She mandated a one-day truce for all fights, and that everyone embrace beneath its branches when they passed
Video examples
Why the buildings of the...
We throw out historical symbols, we rely on new, computer-aided design techniques, and we come up with new compositions, forms crashing into forms. This is academic and heady stuff, it's super unpopular, we totally alienate you.
Video examples
Erika Larsen: People of...
The horse represented respect, pride, generosity, strength, medicine, healing. I saw the horse as a symbol of pride. It was used in pageantry, in parades, and in racing. And it was always adorned with the family or a tribe's
Video examples
A brief history of...
But why these particular symbols? Why ten of them? And why do we arrange them the way we do? Numbers have been a fact of life throughout recorded history. Early humans likely counted animals in a flock or members in a tribe
Video examples
How to write descriptivel...
Stage and screen engage some of our senses directly. We see and hear the interactions of the characters and the setting. But with prose fiction, all you have is static symbols on a contrasting background.
Video examples
What does this symbol...
Some of the world's most recognizable symbols exist to sell products, others to steer traffic or advance political causes.
Video examples
Catching up with...
there's a lot of talented young people on the world that they can be able actually inspired by that information to do the project in their own communities so their problems that's what I'm hoping like to continue doing to share my experience and my knowledge whatever you you struck me in such a symbol of all that we've been talking about this week
Video examples
The history of tattoos -...
according maybe to his humor or different circumstances of his life." Maybe your particular humor and circumstances suggest getting a symbol of cultural heritage, a sign of spirituality, sexual energy, or good old-fashioned avant-garde defiance. A reminder of a great accomplishment,
Video examples
Incredible Orangutan...
when he uses that diamond shaped symbol with the two lines inside you tell me what you want me to do with this closed container okay open all right good that was actually a very good choice because there's a little something in there for him mistakes are are actually quite rare
Video examples
Why is Vermeer's "Girl...
also emphasizes the worldliness of the merchant class, and the pearl itself, a symbol of wealth, is actually an exaggeration. Vermeer couldn't have afforded a real pearl of its size. It was likely just a glass or tin drop varnished to look like a pearl.
Video examples
Why do we kiss under...
Hearing the news, Frigg became so overjoyed that she transformed the mistletoe from a symbol of death into one of peace and love. She mandated a one-day truce for all fights, and that everyone embrace beneath its branches when they passed
Video examples
Why the buildings of the...
We throw out historical symbols, we rely on new, computer-aided design techniques, and we come up with new compositions, forms crashing into forms. This is academic and heady stuff, it's super unpopular, we totally alienate you.
Video examples
Erika Larsen: People of...
The horse represented respect, pride, generosity, strength, medicine, healing. I saw the horse as a symbol of pride. It was used in pageantry, in parades, and in racing. And it was always adorned with the family or a tribe's
Video examples
A brief history of...
But why these particular symbols? Why ten of them? And why do we arrange them the way we do? Numbers have been a fact of life throughout recorded history. Early humans likely counted animals in a flock or members in a tribe
Video examples
How to write descriptivel...
Stage and screen engage some of our senses directly. We see and hear the interactions of the characters and the setting. But with prose fiction, all you have is static symbols on a contrasting background.
Video examples
What does this symbol...
Some of the world's most recognizable symbols exist to sell products, others to steer traffic or advance political causes.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Brad Pitt
Actor
When you see a person, do you just concentrate on their looks? It's just a first impression. Then there's someone who doesn't catch your eye immediately, but you talk to them and they become the most beautiful thing in the world. The greatest actors aren't what you would call beautiful sex symbols.
Quote examples
Douglas MacArthur
American General
I suppose, in a way, this has become part of my soul. It is a symbol of my life. Whatever I have done that really matters, I've done wearing it. When the time comes, it will be in this that I journey forth. What greater honor could come to an American, and a soldier?
Quote examples
Oscar Wilde
Irish Poet
Beauty has as many meanings as man has moods. Beauty is the symbol of symbols. Beauty reveals everything, because it expresses nothing. When it shows us itself, it shows us the whole fiery-coloured world.
Quote examples
Friedrich Nietzsche
German Philosopher
Words are but symbols for the relations of things to one another and to us; nowhere do they touch upon absolute truth.
Quote examples
John Forsythe
American Actor
It's rather amusing at my advanced age to become a sex symbol.
Quote examples
Prateik Babbar
Indian Actor
Prateik means symbol so I symbolise certain things in my life.
Quote examples
Chirlane McCray
American Writer
Symbols are important. It depends on how they're used.
Quote examples
Shakuntala Devi
Indian Writer
Numbers have life; they're not just symbols on paper.
Quote examples
Herbert Read
English Poet
The modern work of art, as I have said, is a symbol.
Quote examples
James Russell Lowell
American Poet
Light is the symbol of truth.
Quote examples
Brad Pitt
Actor
When you see a person, do you just concentrate on their looks? It's just a first impression. Then there's someone who doesn't catch your eye immediately, but you talk to them and they become the most beautiful thing in the world. The greatest actors aren't what you would call beautiful sex symbols.
Quote examples
Douglas MacArthur
American General
I suppose, in a way, this has become part of my soul. It is a symbol of my life. Whatever I have done that really matters, I've done wearing it. When the time comes, it will be in this that I journey forth. What greater honor could come to an American, and a soldier?
Quote examples
Oscar Wilde
Irish Poet
Beauty has as many meanings as man has moods. Beauty is the symbol of symbols. Beauty reveals everything, because it expresses nothing. When it shows us itself, it shows us the whole fiery-coloured world.
Quote examples
Friedrich Nietzsche
German Philosopher
Words are but symbols for the relations of things to one another and to us; nowhere do they touch upon absolute truth.
Quote examples
John Forsythe
American Actor
It's rather amusing at my advanced age to become a sex symbol.
Quote examples
Prateik Babbar
Indian Actor
Prateik means symbol so I symbolise certain things in my life.
Quote examples
Chirlane McCray
American Writer
Symbols are important. It depends on how they're used.
Quote examples
Shakuntala Devi
Indian Writer
Numbers have life; they're not just symbols on paper.
Quote examples
Herbert Read
English Poet
The modern work of art, as I have said, is a symbol.
Quote examples
James Russell Lowell
American Poet
Light is the symbol of truth.
Example 1 of 10
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