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3 N‑COUNT A symbol for an item in a calculation or scientific formula is a number, letter, or shape that represents that item. □  What's the chemical symbol for mercury?

4 → see also sex symbol , status symbol

sym|bol|ic /s I mbɒ l I k/

1 ADJ If you describe an event, action, or procedure as symbolic , you mean that it represents an important change, although it has little practical effect. □  A lot of Latin-American officials are stressing the symbolic importance of the trip. □  The move today was largely symbolic. ●  sym|boli|cal|ly /s I mbɒ l I kli/ ADV [ADV adj] □  It was a simple enough gesture, but symbolically important.

2 ADJ Something that is symbolic of a person or thing is regarded or used as a symbol of them. □ [+ of ] Yellow clothes are worn as symbolic of spring. ●  sym|boli|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □  Each circle symbolically represents the whole of humanity.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] Symbolic is used to describe things involving or relating to symbols. □  …symbolic representations of landscape.

sym|bol|ise /s I mbəla I z/ → see symbolize

sym|bol|ism /s I mbəl I zəm/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Symbolism is the use of symbols in order to represent something. □  The scene is so rich in symbolism that any explanation risks spoiling the effect.

2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to the symbolism of an event or action when it seems to show something important about a situation. □ [+ of ] The symbolism of every gesture will be of vital importance during the short state visit.

sym|bol|ize /s I mbəla I z/ (symbolizes , symbolizing , symbolized ) in BRIT, also use symbolise VERB If one thing symbolizes another, it is used or regarded as a symbol of it. □ [V n] A cherry twig is placed in water to symbolize the hope of new life to come. □ [V -ed] …the post-war world order symbolised by the United Nations.

sym|met|ri|cal /s I me tr I k ^ə l/ ADJ If something is symmetrical , it has two halves which are exactly the same, except that one half is the mirror image of the other. □  …the neat rows of perfectly symmetrical windows. ●  sym|met|ri|cal|ly /s I me tr I kl/ ADV [ADV with v] □  The south garden at Sissinghurst was composed symmetrically.

sym|me|try /s I m I tri/ (symmetries )

1 N‑VAR Something that has symmetry is symmetrical in shape, design, or structure. □  …the incredible beauty and symmetry of a snowflake. □  I loved the house because it had perfect symmetry.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Symmetry in a relationship or agreement is the fact of both sides giving and receiving an equal amount. □  The superpowers pledged to maintain symmetry in their arms shipments.

sym|pa|thet|ic /s I mpəθe t I k/

1 ADJ If you are sympathetic to someone who is in a bad situation, you are kind to them and show that you understand their feelings. □ [+ to ] She was very sympathetic to the problems of adult students. □  It may be that he sees you only as a sympathetic friend. ●  sym|pa|theti|cal|ly /s I mpəθe t I kli/ ADV [ADV with v] □  She nodded sympathetically.

2 ADJ If you are sympathetic to a proposal or action, you approve of it and are willing to support it. □ [+ to ] She met people in London who were sympathetic to her cause. ●  sym|pa|theti|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □  After a year we will sympathetically consider an application for reinstatement.

3 ADJ You describe someone as sympathetic when you like them and approve of the way that they behave. □  She sounds a most sympathetic character.