symbol
Serving as a representation or sign of something else, particularly an abstract idea or quality. It describes an object, action, or event that carries a deeper meaning beyond its literal purpose or appearance.
Examples
3 of 5Giving someone a key to your house is a symbolic act of trust.
Handing over a house key represents that you trust the person deeply.
The lowering of the flag to half-mast was symbolic of the nation's collective grief.
Lowering the flag showed that the entire country was mourning together.
I know it’s just a small trophy, but it’s symbolic of all the hard work we put in.
Even though the trophy is small, it stands for all the effort we exerted.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Olympic' rings; they are 'symbolic' of the five continents joining together in sport.
Quick Quiz
The release of the white doves at the ceremony was _______ of the hope for a lasting peace.
Correct!
The correct answer is: symbolic
Examples
Giving someone a key to your house is a symbolic act of trust.
everydayHanding over a house key represents that you trust the person deeply.
The lowering of the flag to half-mast was symbolic of the nation's collective grief.
formalLowering the flag showed that the entire country was mourning together.
I know it’s just a small trophy, but it’s symbolic of all the hard work we put in.
informalEven though the trophy is small, it stands for all the effort we exerted.
In many cultures, the color white is symbolic of purity, though in others it represents mourning.
academicThe color white acts as a sign of innocence or death depending on the specific culture.
The appointment of the new director was a symbolic move to show the company's commitment to diversity.
businessHiring the new director was done to represent the company's goal of being more inclusive.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
symbolic of
Representing or standing for a particular concept or quality.
symbolic act
A deed done to demonstrate a feeling or a shift in policy.
symbolic link
In computing, a file that points to another file or directory.
Often Confused With
Symbol is the noun (the thing itself), whereas symbolic is the adjective used to describe that thing or its nature.
Symbiotic refers to a biological relationship where two organisms benefit each other, unrelated to representation.
Usage Notes
The word is almost always used with the preposition 'of' when followed by the thing being represented (e.g., 'symbolic of hope'). It is often used to describe gestures that are made to satisfy public opinion or tradition rather than to achieve a practical result.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use the noun 'symbol' as an adjective, saying 'The ring is symbol of love' instead of 'The ring is symbolic of love' or 'The ring is a symbol of love.'
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Olympic' rings; they are 'symbolic' of the five continents joining together in sport.
Word Origin
Derived from the Greek 'symbolon', which was a token or sign used for identification, formed from 'syn-' (together) and 'ballein' (to throw).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The interpretation of symbolic colors and gestures varies greatly; for instance, nodding is symbolic of agreement in the West but can mean the opposite in parts of the Balkans.
Quick Quiz
The release of the white doves at the ceremony was _______ of the hope for a lasting peace.
Correct!
The correct answer is: symbolic
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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