What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
icons
Example
I clicked on the icon to open the app. [icon: noun]
Example
The heart icon is commonly used to represent love or affection. [icon: noun]
Example
She is an icon of the feminist movement. [icon: noun]
symbol
Example
The dove is a symbol of peace. [symbol: noun]
Example
The plus sign is a symbol for addition. [symbol: noun]
Example
He made a symbol with his hand to indicate that everything was okay. [symbol: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Icons are more commonly used in technology and design, while symbols can be used in various fields, such as literature, art, and religion. However, both icons and symbols are widely recognized and understood by people from different cultures and backgrounds.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between icons and symbol?
Both icons and symbols can be used in formal and informal contexts, depending on the context and purpose of their usage. However, symbols may be more commonly used in formal contexts, such as academic writing or legal documents, due to their abstract and metaphorical nature.
