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Symbols: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ”ฃ
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symbols

 

[หˆsษชmbษ™lz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

mathematics

Symbols are characters or signs used to represent numbers, quantities, operations, or other mathematical concepts.

Synonyms

characters, notations, signs.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
symbols

Used in a general context to represent objects, functions, or processes. Often found in cultural, mathematical, or linguistic settings.

  • The heart is a symbol of love.
  • Mathematics uses many symbols like +, -, and =.
characters

Used to refer to individual letters, numbers, or other marks in writing systems, or to describe personas in literature and media.

  • The password requires at least one special character.
  • Harry Potter is a famous character in literature.
signs

Used broadly to refer to indicators, marks, or symbols that give information, often in a public or practical context.

  • The stop sign at the intersection is very clear.
  • There were signs of a storm approaching.
notations

Specific to specialized fields like music, mathematics, and logic to indicate particular operations, sounds, or ideas. Often technical and precise.

  • Musical notation allows musicians to understand how to play a piece.
  • Mathematical notation can vary between different countries.

Examples of usage

  • Mathematics often uses symbols such as +, -, =, >, < to represent operations or relationships.
  • Algebraic symbols like x, y, and z are commonly used to represent unknown quantities in equations.
Context #2 | Noun

symbols and meanings

Symbols can also refer to objects or images that represent ideas, beliefs, or concepts.

Synonyms

emblems, icons, representations.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
symbols

Used for various items or images that stand for or represent something beyond their literal meaning, often in a general or broad sense.

  • The heart shape is a symbol of love
  • Different cultures have different symbols for peace
emblems

Used for objects or designs that specifically represent or stand for an organization, country, or idea in a formal and distinctive manner.

  • The eagle is the national emblem of the United States
  • Each sports team has its own unique emblem
representations

Used for broader and more general instances of one thing standing in for another, often used in academic, artistic, or technical contexts.

  • Maps are representations of geographic locations
  • The artistโ€™s painting is a representation of her feelings
icons

Refers to widely recognized and enduring images or figures that represent a particular idea, often in technology, art, or popular culture.

  • The Statue of Liberty is an icon of freedom
  • The 'Save' icon on computers is usually represented by a floppy disk image

Examples of usage

  • The dove is a symbol of peace and freedom.
  • The color red is often used as a symbol of passion and love.
Context #3 | Noun

linguistics

In linguistics, symbols can be characters or sounds that represent specific sounds or concepts in a writing system or language.

Synonyms

characters, letters, sounds.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
symbols

Used when referring to marks or signs that represent something else. Often seen in mathematics, maps, or written language.

  • Mathematics uses symbols like +, -, and = to form equations
  • On the map, different symbols indicate various landmarks
characters

Refers to individual letters, numbers, or other written signs in a text. Also used to describe people or animals in stories.

  • The password must include at least eight characters
  • The main character in the book is a young detective
letters

Denotes the written signs that represent sounds in a language. Used when talking about the alphabet or correspondence.

  • The English alphabet has 26 letters
  • She wrote a letter to her friend
sounds

Refers to vibrations that travel through the air and can be heard. Commonly used when talking about noise, music, or phonetics.

  • The sounds of birds chirping in the morning are very soothing
  • Each letter of the alphabet has its own sound

Examples of usage

  • The letters of the alphabet are symbols used to represent different sounds in English.
  • The International Phonetic Alphabet uses symbols to represent the sounds of human speech.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Greek 'symbolon', which means 'sign' or 'token', indicating something that is a representation.
  • In ancient times, symbols were often used in trade as a way to communicate without speaking.
  • The concept of using marks to symbolize ideas can be traced back to prehistoric cave paintings.

Culture

  • Different cultures use unique symbols, like the lotus flower in Buddhism, which represents purity and enlightenment.
  • Traffic symbols communicate rules universally, making roads safer for everyone regardless of language.
  • Many religions use symbols, such as the cross in Christianity, to convey deep spiritual meanings.

Psychology

  • Symbols play a critical role in how we process and remember information, acting as mental shortcuts.
  • The use of symbols can evoke strong emotions, as seen in national flags that inspire feelings of pride and belonging.
  • Children often use symbols in play to represent real-world items, demonstrating early cognitive development.

Art

  • Art movements like Surrealism often incorporated symbols to explore the unconscious and complex human experiences.
  • Iconic symbols such as the skull in art can represent mortality, prompting viewers to reflect on life and death.
  • Many artists use repetitive symbols to create themes, bringing depth and meaning to their works.

Communication

  • In semiotics, symbols are a core topic, exploring how signs convey meanings in various contexts.
  • Emoji are modern symbols that have transformed digital communication, allowing feelings and ideas to be expressed visually.
  • Mathematics relies heavily on symbols (like +, ร—) to simplify complex ideas and make calculations easier.

Translations

Translations of the word "symbols" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น sรญmbolos

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเฅเคฐเคคเฅ€เค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Symbole

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ simbol

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะธะผะฒะพะปะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ symbole

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ทใƒณใƒœใƒซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท symboles

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ sรญmbolos

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท semboller

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ธฐํ˜ธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑู…ูˆุฒ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ symboly

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ symboly

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ฌฆๅท

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ simboli

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ tรกkn

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั€ำ™ะผั–ะทะดะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒ˜แƒ›แƒ‘แƒแƒšแƒแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ simvollar

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ sรญmbolos

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,028, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.