Library / English Dictionary

SYMBOLISE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol

Example:

What does the Statue of Liberty symbolize?

Synonyms:

represent; stand for; symbolise; symbolize; typify

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "symbolise" is one way to...):

intend; mean (mean or intend to express or convey)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "symbolise"):

be; embody; personify (represent, as of a character on stage)

epitomise; epitomize; typify (embody the essential characteristics of or be a typical example of)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

symbol (something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible)

symbol (an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance)

symbolisation (something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible)

symboliser (someone skilled in the interpretation or representation of symbols)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Represent or identify by using a symbol; use symbols

Example:

These painters believed that artists should symbolize

Synonyms:

symbolise; symbolize

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "symbolise" is one way to...):

represent (describe or present, usually with respect to a particular quality)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

symbolisation (the use of symbols to convey meaning)

Credits