Agency Dictionary
Symbolic
adjectivePronunciation: /sɪmˈbɒl.ɪk/
In Portuguese: Simbólico
Philosophy & Ethics
DesignWhat does “Symbolic” mean?
Serving as a representation of something intangible or carrying deeper non-literal meaning.
Etymology
From French symbolique or directly from Latin symbolicus, from Greek symbolikos, "of or belonging to a symbol", from symbolon, "token, sign". The adjective describes what serves as a symbol or carries meaning beyond its literal appearance.
Synonyms
- representative
- emblematic
- figurative
Word family
Usage examples
But they carry symbolic value, they depict a narrative.
Concepts
- Symbolic ValueSymbolic value is the non-material worth attributed to an object, service, or brand based on cultural meaning, narrative, and social status. Unlike utility value or…
- Value PropositionA value proposition is a concise declaration of the tangible and intangible benefits that an organization promises to deliver to its customers. It defines why a product…
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Words of the same theme
- Antithesisnoun
- A person, thing, or concept that represents the direct or exact opposite of another.
- Buttonnoun
- A physical or graphical control element that triggers an immediate action or command when pressed or clicked. In software interfaces, buttons communicate system affordances through visual boundaries and labels.
- Discursiveadjective
- Proceeding by reasoned argument or sequential exposition rather than by immediate visual intuition.
- recipientnoun
- The person who receives something. In communication, the one to whom a message is addressed and who interprets it, as opposed to the sender who composes it.
- Superfluousadjective
- Exceeding what is sufficient, necessary, or useful.
- Treatisenoun
- A formal, systematic, and comprehensive written work dealing methodically with the principles and evidence of a particular philosophical, scientific, or technical subject.
- Typographynoun
- The art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and visually appealing. It encompasses typeface selection, point size, line spacing, tracking, and spatial kerning.
- iconnoun
- A simplified image that represents a thing by resembling it. In semiotics, a sign that signifies through likeness; in digital interfaces, a small picture that stands for an object or a function.
- Maximnoun
- A concise statement expressing a fundamental principle, general truth, or practical rule of conduct.
- Screennoun
- A flat physical display surface on an electronic device that projects visual images, interfaces, and text to a viewer. It serves as the primary visual output medium for modern personal computers and mobile phones.
- wireframenoun
- A skeletal visual guide that outlines the basic structure, hierarchy, and functionality of a user interface.
- symbolismnoun
- The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, and the set of meanings that a form, an image or an object carries beyond its literal sense.
Also from these editions: terms
- Resiliencenoun
- The capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties, tough conditions, or shock.
- Authenticitynoun
- The quality of being real, genuine, and true to one's own character or stated origins.
- Bifurcationnoun
- The division of something into two separate branches, directions, or parts.
- Contextualadjective
- Depending on, relevant to, or determined by the surrounding circumstances or environment.
- Differentiationnoun
- The act or process of distinguishing between two or more items or establishing uniqueness.
- Interdisciplinaryadjective
- Involving or combining two or more academic disciplines or professional specialized fields.
- Mannerismnoun
- A habitual gesture, distinctive personal style, or idiosyncratic behavioral trait.
- Memorabilitynoun
- The quality of being easy to remember, noteworthy, or enduring in human recollection.
- narrativenoun
- A spoken or written account of connected events, forming a coherent story or conceptual perspective.
- Personanoun
- The public face or role that a person or entity presents to the world, distinct from private inner reality.
- Preposterousadjective
- Contrary to reason or common sense, utterly absurd or ridiculous.
Also from these editions: concepts
- Al RiesAl Ries was an American marketing consultant and author, known for the books he wrote with Jack Trout, among them Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind and Marketing…
- Jack TroutJack Trout was an American marketing consultant and author, known for the books he wrote with Al Ries, among them Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind and Marketing…
- Marketing WarfareMarketing Warfare is a book written by Al Ries and Jack Trout in 1985. In MetaMarketing.2, the edition cites it as a work that compares the competitive landscape in…
- Aesthetic CurationAesthetic curation is the thoughtful selection, contextualization, and presentation of visual works and cultural artifacts to cultivate discernment. It evaluates creative…
- Attention EconomyThe attention economy is an economic framework treating human attention as a scarce, monetizable commodity competed for by digital platforms, media networks, and…
- Brand AwarenessBrand awareness is the degree to which target consumers can recognize, recall, and associate a brand with its specific products or services. It represents the…
- Brand DifferentiationBrand differentiation is the strategic process of distinguishing an organization's products or services from competitive alternatives in the market. It establishes unique…
- Brand EcosystemA brand ecosystem is an interconnected network of communicational touchpoints, digital platforms, physical assets, and products through which an organization interacts…
- Brand PersonalityBrand personality is the set of human characteristics, emotional attributes, and behavioral traits attributed to a brand or organization. It enables a company to…
- Corporate PersonaA corporate persona is the tailored organizational character and public mask that a company adopts across different social and commercial environments. Rooted in…
- Marketing WarfareMarketing warfare is a strategic framework that applies military tactical principles to commercial business competition. Developed by Al Ries and Jack Trout, it views the…