Word
symbolically
Phoneticssym·bol·i·cal·ly, stress on the second syllable
US/sɪmˈbɑɫɪkəɫi/
UK/sɪmbˈɒlɪkli/
Definition
adv. in a way that represents something else or shows a meaning. You use this when an action or object is used to stand for a larger idea.
adv. in a manner that represents or expresses a particular idea, quality, or feeling. Often used to describe actions that carry a deeper significance than their literal meaning.
Examples
“The dove is a symbolically important animal in many cultures.”
“The president visited the site symbolically to show the nation's commitment to peace.”
“While the ceremony was brief, it was symbolically significant as it marked the first time the two nations had shared a border since the war.”
Examples
simple
“The dove is a symbolically important animal in many cultures.”
contextual
“The president visited the site symbolically to show the nation's commitment to peace.”
complex
“While the ceremony was brief, it was symbolically significant as it marked the first time the two nations had shared a border since the war.”
Real-World Examples
“After all, Sincil Bank sits in the shadow of the imposing cathedral, high on the hill and a building that symbolically represents the importance of this area stretching back hundreds of years.” “From the opening, symbolically charged image of Alexandre running haplessly around a maze of terraced vineyards, director David Bonneville has a keen sense of the higher implications of his story.” Etymology
From symbolical + -ly or symbolic + -ally.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/symbolically