1. an artist or writer who uses symbols to express ideas, emotions, or states of mind rather than depicting reality directly
Usage: art; literature
2. a person who interprets or studies symbols and their meanings

1. relating to or characteristic of symbolism in art or literature
Usage: art; literature

Examples

• The symbolist painter used abstract forms to represent human emotions.
• As a symbolist poet, she preferred metaphor over literal description.
• The museum featured a collection of symbolist artwork from the late 19th century.
• He was known as a symbolist who could decode the hidden meanings in ancient texts.
• The symbolist movement rejected realistic representation in favor of suggestion.
• Her symbolist approach to writing made her novels rich with hidden meanings.
• The art critic praised the symbolist techniques used in the exhibition.