What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
glyph
Example
The ancient Mayan glyph for 'sun' was a circle with rays emanating from it. [glyph: noun]
Example
The designer used a glyph of a flower to decorate the border of the invitation. [glyph: noun]
Example
The glyph of a person with a suitcase indicated the location of the airport. [glyph: noun]
symbol
Example
The heart is a symbol of love and affection. [symbol: noun]
Example
The red octagon is a symbol for stop in traffic signals. [symbol: noun]
Example
The dove is a symbol of peace and tranquility. [symbol: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Symbol is more commonly used than glyph in everyday language and communication. Symbol is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while glyph is less common and tends to be used in technical or specialized fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between glyph and symbol?
Both glyph and symbol can be used in formal and informal contexts, but glyph is more likely to be used in technical or specialized fields, which may give it a more formal connotation.
