How to pronounce symbolic
Say it like sim-BOL-ik. Symbolic has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BOL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce symbolic. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- sim
- BOL
- ik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Symbolic pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- simKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- BOLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of symbolic
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: sim-BOL-ik.
What does symbolic mean?
- relating to or using or proceeding by means of symbols“symbolic logic”“symbolic operations”
- serving as a visible symbol for something abstract“a crown is emblematic of royalty”“the spinning wheel was as symbolic of colonical Massachusetts as the codfish”
- using symbolism“symbolic art”
Words that rhyme with symbolic
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of symbolic.
Questions about saying symbolic
How do you pronounce symbolic?
Say sim-BOL-ik. The American pronunciation is /sɪmˈbɑlɪk/. In British English it is /sɪmˈbɒlɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in symbolic?
Symbolic has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BOL). Broken into parts: sim · BOL · ik.
Is symbolic pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /sɪmˈbɒlɪk/ (sim-BOL-ik).