What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Represent vs Symbolise - What's the difference?

represent | symbolise |

As verbs the difference between represent and symbolise

is that represent is to present again or anew; to present by means of something standing in the place of; to exhibit the counterpart or image of; to typify while symbolise is to be symbolic of; to represent.

represent

English

(Webster 1913)

Alternative forms

* (archaic)

Verb

(en verb)
  • To present again or anew; to present by means of something standing in the place of; to exhibit the counterpart or image of; to typify.
  • To portray by pictorial or plastic art; to delineate; as, to represent a landscape in a picture, a horse in bronze, and the like.
  • To portray by mimicry or action of any kind; to act the part or character of; to personate; as, to represent Hamlet.
  • To stand in the place of; to supply the place, perform the duties, exercise the rights, or receive the share, of; to speak and act with authority in behalf of; to act the part of (another); as, an heir represents his ancestor; an attorney represents his client in court; a member of Congress represents his district in Congress.
  • To exhibit to another mind in language; to show; to give one's own impressions and judgement of; to bring before the mind; to set forth; sometimes, to give an account of; to describe.
  • He represented that he was investigating for the police department.
  • To serve as a sign or symbol of; as, mathematical symbols represent quantities or relations; words represent ideas or things.
  • To bring a sensation of into the mind or sensorium; to cause to be known, felt, or apprehended; to present.
  • To form or image again in consciousness, as an object of cognition or apprehension (something presentative, which was originally apprehended by direct presentation).
  • (Webster 1913)

    Anagrams

    *

    symbolise

    English

    Alternative forms

    * symbolize (US )

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To be symbolic of; to represent.
  • The crossed hammer and sickle symbolise the union of workers and peasantry in their fight for their rights.
  • * 1852 CE: William and Robert Chambers, Chambers' Edinburgh Journal
  • [H]is heart swelled within him, as he sat at the head of his own table, on the occasion of the house-warming, dispensing with no niggard hand the gratuitous viands and unlimited beer, which were at once to symbolise and inaugurate the hospitality of his mansion.