- 1symbol (of something) a person, an object, an event, etc. that represents a more general quality or situation White has always been a symbol of purity in Western cultures. Nelson Mandela became a symbol of the anti-apartheid struggle. Thesaurussign
- indication
- symptom
- symbol
- indicator
- signal
- sign an event, action, or fact that shows that something exists, is happening, or may happen in the future:Headaches may be a sign of stress.
- indication (somewhat formal) a remark or sign that shows that something is happening or what someone is thinking or feeling:They gave no indication as to how the work should be done.
- An indication often comes in the form of something that someone says; a sign is usually something that happens or something that someone does.
- symptom a change in your body or mind that shows that you are not healthy; a sign that something exists, especially something bad:A sore throat may be a symptom of an ear infection. The rise in inflation was just one symptom of the poor state of the economy.
- symbol a person, an object, or an event that represents a more general quality or situation:The dove is a universal symbol of peace.
- indicator (somewhat formal) a sign that shows you what something is like or how a situation is changing:the economic indicators Healthy skin is an indicator of overall well-being.
- signal an event, an action, or a fact that shows that something exists, is happening, or may happen in the future:This latest decision is a signal of a major change in policy. Reducing prison sentences would send the wrong signals to criminals.
- Signal is often used to talk about an event, an action, or a fact that suggests to someone that they should do something. Sign is not usually used in this way:Reducing prison sentences would send the wrong signs to criminals.
- a(n) sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator/signal of something
- a(n) sign/indication/symptom/indicator/signal that…
- a clear sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator/signal
- an obvious sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator
- an early sign/indication/symptom/indicator/signal
- an outward sign/indication/symbol
- to give a(n) sign/indication/signal
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- 2symbol (for something) a sign, number, letter, etc. that has a fixed meaning, especially in science, mathematics, and music What is the chemical symbol for copper? A list of symbols used on the map is given in the index. see sex symbol, status symbol
Check pronunciation: symbol