symbolic language
Meaning through signs
A symbolic language uses symbols—whether mathematical notation, logical operators, or programming code—to represent concepts, relationships, and operations precisely.
Symbolic languages enable compact expression of complex ideas: Symbolic language lets mathematicians write proofs that would take pages in ordinary prose.
In computing, symbolic languages like assembly use human-readable mnemonics rather than raw machine code.
The term also applies to any system where symbols carry agreed-upon meanings beyond their literal form.
Displays conveying information
- iconsRepresentative small images
- indicesOrganized lists for lookup
- signifierMeaning-bearing form
- signifiedExpressed meaning symbolically
codes · representation · meaning · interpretation · metaphor · allegory · archetype · emblem
Communicative body movement
- hieroglyphicsSymbolic picture-based writing
- runesOld Germanic script
- glyphsCarved symbolic figures
- ideogramsSymbols representing ideas directly
logographs · Braille · morse code · flags · signals · nonverbal · emoticons · emoji
Symbolic communication system
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- variablesChangeable elements in equations
- functionsWorks or serves purposes
- expressionsOutward manifestations of feeling
compilers · interpreters · parsing · tokens · operators · conditionals · loops · recursion
System of written symbols
- equationsMathematical equality statements
- variablesChangeable elements in equations
- operatorsThose who manage equipment
- functionsWorks or serves purposes
proofs · logic · formulas · algorithms · sets · constants · axioms · theorems
Formal event marking occasions
- liturgyFormal worship structure
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- invocationCalling upon higher authority
blessing · omen · totem · talisman · mandala · iconography · sacred geometry · mythic
signs
Displays conveying information
signified · codes · representation · meaning · interpretation · metaphor · allegory · archetype · emblem · motif
gesture
Communicative body movement
- hieroglyphicsSymbolic picture-based writing
- runesOld Germanic script
- glyphsCarved symbolic figures
ideograms · logographs · Braille · morse code · flags · signals · nonverbal · emoticons · emoji · petroglyphs
code
Symbolic communication system
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- variablesChangeable elements in equations
- functionsWorks or serves purposes
expressions · compilers · interpreters · parsing · tokens · operators · conditionals · loops · recursion · abstraction
notation
System of written symbols
- equationsMathematical equality statements
- variablesChangeable elements in equations
- operatorsThose who manage equipment
functions · proofs · logic · formulas · algorithms · sets · constants · axioms · theorems · matrices
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- liturgyFormal worship structure
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
- incantationSpoken magical formula
invocation · blessing · omen · totem · talisman · mandala · iconography · sacred geometry · mythic · shamanic
- literary devicesmetaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, alliteration
- figurative languagemetaphor, simile, figure of speech, analogy, personification
- metaphorsbroken heart, dead metaphor, mixed metaphor, time is money, extended metaphor
- riddlesriddles, riddle, conundrums, conundrum, enigmas
- symbolsrunes, asterisks, glyph, yin-yang, skull crossbones
- alchemyalchemy, alchemist, philosopher's stone, transmutation, elixir
symbolic languageplain speech
Unembellished verbal expression
explicit language · plain English · everyday speech · common parlance
language, symbol, symbolic, symbols, symbolize, symbolism, symbolized, symbolizes, symbolizing