symbolism

/ˈsɪmbəlɪzəm/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈɪmbəlˌɪzəm] /ˈsɪmbəlɪzəm/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈɪmbəlˌɪzəm] /ˈsim-bə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce symbolism (audio)/ (ame, mw)

symbolism — noun

1. the practice of using signs, pictures, or objects in art, writing, or film so th

1.名詞C1
釋義

the practice of using signs, pictures, or objects in art, writing, or film so that they point to larger ideas or feelings

例句

Christopher explained the symbolism behind the broken clock in the film.

the symbolism behind + image / object

In the poem, falling snow adds symbolism to the story of grief.

同義詞
  • imagery

    broader term for the pictures created by language; the images do not always carry symbolic meaning

  • allegory

    more structured and extended; usually a whole story or scene consistently stands for another meaning

  • iconography

    used especially for the visual symbols of an art tradition, religion, or artist

文法句型

symbolism in + work / image / object

the symbolism behind + noun phrase

用法筆記

Usually discussed in literature, film, religion, or visual art. Often paired with 'behind' when explaining what a repeated image or object is meant to suggest.

常見錯誤

❌The director used many symbolisms in the film.
✅The director used a lot of symbolism in the film.
💡'symbolism' is usually uncountable when you mean symbolic meaning or technique.

2. an artistic and literary movement from the late nineteenth century that preferre

2.名詞C2
釋義

an artistic and literary movement from the late nineteenth century that preferred suggestion, dreamlike images, and private emotion to direct realism

例句

At the museum, Rafael studied Symbolism before the sculpture class.

Symbolism as the movement name

During the lecture, Tariq linked Symbolism to dream images and private feeling.

同義詞
  • Symbolist movement

    standard alternate historical label for the same literary and artistic movement

反義詞
  • realism

    movement that aims to show ordinary life directly rather than through suggestive symbols

文法句型

study / compare + Symbolism

Symbolism in + place / period

用法筆記

Write this sense with a capital S when naming the historical movement. Use lowercase 'symbolism' for the general technique in sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌The poem uses Symbolism throughout.
✅The poem uses symbolism throughout.
💡Capital S is for the named nineteenth-century movement, not for symbolic technique in general.

3. a set of signs, images, or objects whose meanings are understood within a cultur

3.名詞C1
釋義

a set of signs, images, or objects whose meanings are understood within a culture, subject, or work

例句

Traffic signs use simple symbolism so drivers can react at once.

simple symbolism in a sign system

The chart's colour symbolism helps patients understand each risk level.

colour symbolism

同義詞
  • iconography

    close in art and religion, but usually limited to visual symbols rather than any sign system

  • code

    broader and more neutral; can describe any agreed system of signs, not only symbolic ones

文法句型

colour / animal / religious symbolism

the symbolism of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often modified by a field or topic word, such as 'colour symbolism' or 'religious symbolism'. Unlike sense 1, this sense refers to the set of meanings itself, not the technique of using them.