Meaning & use
symbolize
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To stand for an idea, quality or thing, so that people link the two in their minds.
Grammar: Takes an object: the dove symbolizes peace.
Patterns
- symbolize something
- something symbolizes something
The white dove symbolizes peace in many cultures.
In the story, the broken clock symbolizes the family's lost time.
A ring symbolizes the promise of marriage.
verbtransitivetechnical
To represent something by using a sign, mark or character.
Grammar: Often used with by or with: symbolize a value with a letter.
Patterns
- symbolize something with something
- symbolize something by something
Chemists symbolize each element with a short letter code.
On the map, a small triangle symbolizes a mountain peak.
The author symbolized the villain by a dark gray cloak.
Word forms
| third person singular | symbolizes |
|---|---|
| past tense | symbolized |
| past participle | symbolized |
| -ing form | symbolizing |
Common combinations
- symbolize hope
- The sunrise in the final scene symbolizes hope.
- symbolize freedom
- The eagle symbolizes freedom to many Americans.
- come to symbolize
- The wall came to symbolize the division of the city.
- symbolize the struggle
- The statue symbolizes the struggle for equality.
- is meant to symbolize
- The red rose is meant to symbolize love.
Synonyms and how they differ
- represent
- Represent is wider and can also mean to speak for someone, while symbolize only means to stand for an idea.
- signify
- Signify stresses having a meaning, and sounds more formal than symbolize.
- stand for
- Stand for is the plain phrasal verb and is used in everyday speech for letters and ideas.
- epitomize
- Epitomize means to be a perfect example of a quality, which is stronger than symbolizing it.
Word family
- symbol noun
- something that stands for an idea or thing
- symbolic adjective
- acting as a symbol
- symbolism noun
- the use of symbols to express ideas
- symbolically adverb
- in a way that serves as a symbol
Commonly confused: symbolize or symbolic? symbolize or cymbal?
symbolize vs symbolic
Symbolic is the adjective, as in a symbolic gesture; symbolize is the verb that takes an object.
symbolize vs cymbal
A cymbal is a metal musical disc, and it is pronounced almost like symbol.
Practice
In many cultures, the olive branch is used to ___ peace.
Choose one answer.
The sentence needs a verb after to, and symbolize is the verb meaning to stand for an idea. Symbolic is an adjective, so it cannot follow to here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “symbolize”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.