Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

symbolism

[sim-buh-liz-uhm]

noun

  1. the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character.

  2. a set or system of symbols.

  3. symbolic meaning or character.

  4. the principles and practice of symbolists in art or literature.

  5. (initial capital letter)a movement of the late 19th century in French art and literature.

  6. the use of any of certain special figures or marks of identification to signify a religious message or divine being, as the cross for Christ and the Christian faith.



symbolism

/ ˈɪəˌɪə /

noun

  1. the representation of something in symbolic form or the attribution of symbolic meaning or character to something

  2. a system of symbols or symbolic representation

  3. a symbolic significance or quality

  4. (often capital) a late 19th-century movement in art that sought to express mystical or abstract ideas through the symbolic use of images See also synthetism

  5. theol any symbolist interpretation of the Eucharist

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of symbolism1

First recorded in 1645–55; symbol + -ism
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The franchise has always excelled at mixing symbolism into its bloodshed.

From

Although the dollar amount was relatively small, the symbolism of such aid programs for children gave China a sudden edge in a serious geopolitical rivalry.

From

The speech was written on the advice of the Canadian government, but there was a great deal of symbolism in the King reading it out.

From

Well, the symbolism this time around absolutely sucked, at least for the Labour Party.

From

He immediately deleted it after criticism, saying he was unaware of the image's symbolism, and later said he "apologised unreservedly".

From

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


symbolicssymbolist