symbol

The word “symbol” means a written character or image that stands for an idea, object, or sound. In plain terms, something — a mark, image, or object — that stands in for a bigger idea.

“Symbol” is pronounced SIHM-buhl (/ˈsɪmbəl/ in IPA).

Here is “symbol” used in a sentence: “The dollar sign is a symbol for currency.”

“Symbol” is a noun.

The word “symbol” comes from Greek. From Greek symbolon, originally a token or half-coin used as a proof of identity, from syn- ("together") + ballein ("to throw").

“Symbol” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Symbol” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a written character or image that stands for an idea, object, or sound.

A sign typically points directly to something concrete, such as a road sign indicating a turn, while a symbol is a character, image, or object that stands for a broader or more abstract idea, object, or sound. Every symbol works as a kind of sign, but a symbol usually carries meaning beyond its literal appearance.

A symbol is a written character, image, or object that represents an idea or quality, whereas a metaphor is a figure of speech that describes one thing as if it were another. A dove can be a symbol of peace, while calling a steady friend "a rock" is a metaphor.

"Symbol" refers to a character or image that stands for an idea, while "cymbal" is a metal percussion instrument. The two sound alike but are unrelated, so "a symbol of hope" is correct and "a cymbal of hope" is a spelling mistake.

"Symbol" is most often followed by "of," as in "a symbol of freedom" or "a symbol of wealth." You can also say something is "a symbol for" an idea, but "symbol of" is the far more common pairing.