sym ‧ bol ‧ ic AC /sɪmˈbɒlɪk $ -ˈbɑː-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ symbol , ↑ symbolism ; verb : ↑ symbolize ; adverb : ↑ symbolically ; adjective : ↑ symbolic ]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ symbol , ↑ symbolism ; verb : ↑ symbolize ; adverb : ↑ symbolically ; adjective : ↑ symbolic ]
1 . a symbolic action is important because of what it represents but may not have any real effect
symbolic gesture/act
The protest was a symbolic gesture of anger at official policy.
symbolic significance/importance
a meeting of symbolic importance
purely/largely symbolic
It was a largely symbolic gesture from a government trying to win support.
2 . representing a particular idea or quality:
Each element of the ceremony has a symbolic meaning.
symbolic of
Today’s fighting is symbolic of the chaos which the country is facing.
3 . using or involving symbols:
A map is a form of symbolic representation.
—symbolically /-kli/ adverb
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COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ a symbolic gesture
They fired arrows out to sea in a symbolic gesture of defiance.
▪ a symbolic act
Lighting the Olympic flame is a symbolic act.
▪ symbolic importance/significance
The capture of the city was of great symbolic importance.
■ adverbs
▪ largely symbolic
The vote was largely symbolic.
▪ purely symbolic
Our protest was meant to be purely symbolic.