Symbolic
adjective
Something that represents another thing or idea.
The dove is a symbolic representation of peace.
Often appears as...
- symbolic representation
- symbolic gesture
adjective
Doing something as a symbol, with deeper meaning and not for its direct purpose.
The destruction of the statue was a symbolic act of rebellion.
Often appears as...
- symbolic act
- symbolic protest
adjective
Involving symbols or symbolism.
Symbolic art uses images and symbols instead of realistic pictures.
Often appears as...
- symbolic art
- symbolic language
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Something that represents another thing or idea.
The dove is a symbolic representation of peace.
Often appears as...
- symbolic representation
- symbolic gesture
adjective
Doing something as a symbol, with deeper meaning and not for its direct purpose.
The destruction of the statue was a symbolic act of rebellion.
Often appears as...
- symbolic act
- symbolic protest
adjective
Involving symbols or symbolism.
Symbolic art uses images and symbols instead of realistic pictures.
Often appears as...
- symbolic art
- symbolic language
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Variance
The symbolic nature of objects can vary between cultures; understand the context to avoid confusion.
In some cultures, owls are symbolic of wisdom.
Pro Tip 2/3Common Symbols
Common symbols like the heart for love, are universally understood and safe to use.
Hearts are symbolic of love.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Awareness
Some symbols have historical significance; it's important to know them to grasp the symbolic message.
The Berlin Wall is symbolic of the Cold War.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Variance
The symbolic nature of objects can vary between cultures; understand the context to avoid confusion.
In some cultures, owls are symbolic of wisdom.
Pro Tip 2/3Common Symbols
Common symbols like the heart for love, are universally understood and safe to use.
Hearts are symbolic of love.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Awareness
Some symbols have historical significance; it's important to know them to grasp the symbolic message.
The Berlin Wall is symbolic of the Cold War.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Variance
The symbolic nature of objects can vary between cultures; understand the context to avoid confusion.
In some cultures, owls are symbolic of wisdom.
Pro Tip 2/3Common Symbols
Common symbols like the heart for love, are universally understood and safe to use.
Hearts are symbolic of love.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Awareness
Some symbols have historical significance; it's important to know them to grasp the symbolic message.
The Berlin Wall is symbolic of the Cold War.
Compare with
allegoricalemblematicfigurativeindicativemeaningfulmetaphoricalrepresentationalsignifysuggestive
Never forget "Symbolic"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Rescuing the UK's Rarest...
completely sterilized our countryside for years and years and years putting back as much we can is so important so putting the wildcat back in there as part of that very important predator guild is so important and of course the wildcat is very symbolic of our world of nature and i think if you can bring back something like that and show it to
Video examples
Neanderthals 101 PIPE...
and created advanced tools. In fact, they were the first human species to make tools out of bone, not just stone. They also created objects that served ornamental purposes. Neanderthals are suspected to be the first humans to carry out the symbolic gesture of burying their dead
Video examples
A Black man goes...
people who do not see the world the same way that you see the world? Oh yes, folks, conversations may be indeed the key to that upgrade, because remember, language was the first form of virtual reality. It is literally a symbolic representation of the physical world,
Video examples
Kelli Swazey: Life that...
And the tongkonan is symbolic not only of the family's identity but also of the human life cycle from birth to death. So essentially, the shape of the building that you're born into is the shape of the structure which carries you
Video examples
This Clown Philosopher...
become a symbol of of humanity it has become a symbol of of emotion in that regard once the clown's separated from the Auguste to the white face which is symbolic of thoughts whereas the a goosed clown with the red nose and then
Video examples
What makes a hero? -...
and keeps getting updated, because we humans reflect on our world through symbolic stories of our own lives. You leave your comfort zone, have an experience that transforms you, and then you recover and do it again.
Video examples
His Holiness the...
can come together, exchange their ideas and form relationships of friendship with each other. And I think that's symbolic of what we're seeing in the world in general, that the world is becoming smaller and smaller,
Video examples
Exorcise the Demons PIPE...
her screaming is both cathartic and symbolic as she fights to expel the hurt and torment she has suffered throughout her adult life let her go if you return no more than an hour into her exorcism
Video examples
How fire shapes...
filled with working fires flames for lighting heating cooking even entertainment they're all gone we might have an occasional symbolic or ceremonial or token flame but otherwise
Video examples
The Man with Three Wives...
from today to the end the bride's family paid a dowry months ago this is a final symbolic exchange that formalizes the agreement as the officials leave the
Video examples
Rescuing the UK's Rarest...
completely sterilized our countryside for years and years and years putting back as much we can is so important so putting the wildcat back in there as part of that very important predator guild is so important and of course the wildcat is very symbolic of our world of nature and i think if you can bring back something like that and show it to
Video examples
Neanderthals 101 PIPE...
and created advanced tools. In fact, they were the first human species to make tools out of bone, not just stone. They also created objects that served ornamental purposes. Neanderthals are suspected to be the first humans to carry out the symbolic gesture of burying their dead
Video examples
A Black man goes...
people who do not see the world the same way that you see the world? Oh yes, folks, conversations may be indeed the key to that upgrade, because remember, language was the first form of virtual reality. It is literally a symbolic representation of the physical world,
Video examples
Kelli Swazey: Life that...
And the tongkonan is symbolic not only of the family's identity but also of the human life cycle from birth to death. So essentially, the shape of the building that you're born into is the shape of the structure which carries you
Video examples
This Clown Philosopher...
become a symbol of of humanity it has become a symbol of of emotion in that regard once the clown's separated from the Auguste to the white face which is symbolic of thoughts whereas the a goosed clown with the red nose and then
Video examples
What makes a hero? -...
and keeps getting updated, because we humans reflect on our world through symbolic stories of our own lives. You leave your comfort zone, have an experience that transforms you, and then you recover and do it again.
Video examples
His Holiness the...
can come together, exchange their ideas and form relationships of friendship with each other. And I think that's symbolic of what we're seeing in the world in general, that the world is becoming smaller and smaller,
Video examples
Exorcise the Demons PIPE...
her screaming is both cathartic and symbolic as she fights to expel the hurt and torment she has suffered throughout her adult life let her go if you return no more than an hour into her exorcism
Video examples
How fire shapes...
filled with working fires flames for lighting heating cooking even entertainment they're all gone we might have an occasional symbolic or ceremonial or token flame but otherwise
Video examples
The Man with Three Wives...
from today to the end the bride's family paid a dowry months ago this is a final symbolic exchange that formalizes the agreement as the officials leave the
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Joel Osteen
American Clergyman
When my dad founded our church, he used either a globe or a map of the world behind him. It was symbolic of what Christ said: to go forth and preach hope to the world. We believe in the cross, but we just continued with the globe.
Quote examples
James Surowiecki
American Journalist
Life insurance became popular only when insurance companies stopped emphasizing it as a good investment and sold it instead as a symbolic commitment by fathers to the future well-being of their families.
Quote examples
Joseph Beuys
German Artist
I wished to go completely outside and to make a symbolic start for my enterprise of regenerating the life of humankind within the body of society and to prepare a positive future in this context.
Quote examples
Tayari Jones
American Author
I like straightforward names for my characters. When I get too symbolic with names or places, I start feeling like the characters and the story are less read, and I lose interest.
Quote examples
Lester Holt
American Journalist
Not to get too deep on shaving my mustache, but it was kind of symbolic of, 'This is a moment of liberation, a chance to reinvent yourself.' That's kind of what I did.
Quote examples
Judith Martin
American Author
Presents are symbolic. When you give them in your personal life, they should show that you are paying attention to the person to whom you're giving them.
Quote examples
Charles Eastman
Sioux Author
Indian names were either characteristic nicknames given in a playful spirit, deed names, birth names, or such as have a religious and symbolic meaning.
Quote examples
Sheila Heti
Canadian Writer
For me, a memoir is supposed to be understood as a representation of your life, whereas a novel is self-consciously symbolic.
Quote examples
Gigi Gorgeous
Canadian Celebrity
Marriage is absolutely something that's important to me. It's the ultimate symbolic step in love.
Quote examples
Gad Saad
Canadian Scientist
People's most prized possessions carry deeply symbolic and emotional significance.
Quote examples
Joel Osteen
American Clergyman
When my dad founded our church, he used either a globe or a map of the world behind him. It was symbolic of what Christ said: to go forth and preach hope to the world. We believe in the cross, but we just continued with the globe.
Quote examples
James Surowiecki
American Journalist
Life insurance became popular only when insurance companies stopped emphasizing it as a good investment and sold it instead as a symbolic commitment by fathers to the future well-being of their families.
Quote examples
Joseph Beuys
German Artist
I wished to go completely outside and to make a symbolic start for my enterprise of regenerating the life of humankind within the body of society and to prepare a positive future in this context.
Quote examples
Tayari Jones
American Author
I like straightforward names for my characters. When I get too symbolic with names or places, I start feeling like the characters and the story are less read, and I lose interest.
Quote examples
Lester Holt
American Journalist
Not to get too deep on shaving my mustache, but it was kind of symbolic of, 'This is a moment of liberation, a chance to reinvent yourself.' That's kind of what I did.
Quote examples
Judith Martin
American Author
Presents are symbolic. When you give them in your personal life, they should show that you are paying attention to the person to whom you're giving them.
Quote examples
Charles Eastman
Sioux Author
Indian names were either characteristic nicknames given in a playful spirit, deed names, birth names, or such as have a religious and symbolic meaning.
Quote examples
Sheila Heti
Canadian Writer
For me, a memoir is supposed to be understood as a representation of your life, whereas a novel is self-consciously symbolic.
Quote examples
Gigi Gorgeous
Canadian Celebrity
Marriage is absolutely something that's important to me. It's the ultimate symbolic step in love.
Quote examples
Gad Saad
Canadian Scientist
People's most prized possessions carry deeply symbolic and emotional significance.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension