Meaning & use
iconographic
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a nounspecialist
Relating to the use of images and symbols to represent ideas, especially in art and religion.
Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: an iconographic detail.
Patterns
- iconographic detail
- iconographic tradition
The art historian studied the iconographic details of the altarpiece.
Every saint had an iconographic symbol, such as a key or a wheel.
The mural follows a strict iconographic tradition.
adjectivecomparablefigurative
Having the force of a widely recognized symbol, as an image that stands for something larger.
Grammar: Can be used before or after a verb: the photo became iconographic.
Patterns
- iconographic image
- an iconographic figure
The photograph became an iconographic image of the era.
Her red dress turned into an iconographic symbol of the film.
The tower is an iconographic landmark of the city.
Common combinations
- iconographic symbol
- The dove is an iconographic symbol of peace.
- iconographic tradition
- The icon follows an old iconographic tradition.
- iconographic detail
- She noticed every iconographic detail in the painting.
- iconographic program
- The cathedral has a rich iconographic program.
Synonyms and how they differ
- symbolic
- Symbolic is the general word for standing for something, while iconographic ties meaning to specific images in art.
- emblematic
- Emblematic suggests that one thing sums up a larger idea, while iconographic stresses the images used.
- representational
- Representational describes art that shows recognizable objects, which is a broader idea than iconographic symbols.
Opposites
Word family
- iconography noun
- the study or use of images and symbols
- icon noun
- a symbol or sacred image
- iconic adjective
- widely known and admired as a symbol
- iconographer noun
- a person who studies or paints icons
Commonly confused: iconographic or iconic?
iconographic vs iconic
Iconic means famous as a symbol, while iconographic means connected to the images and symbols themselves.
Practice
The art historian explained the ___ meaning of the lamb in the painting.
Choose one answer.
Iconographic refers to symbolic meaning in images. Iconoclastic means attacking established beliefs, and iconic means famous, so neither fits.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “iconographic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.