figurative

[ fig-yer-uh-tiv ]

adjective

1. of the nature of or involving a figure of speech, especially a metaphor; metaphorical and not literal:

   The word "head" has several figurative senses, as in "She's the head of the company."

   Synonyms: metaphorical, symbolic

2. metaphorically so called:

   His remark was a figurative boomerang.

3. abounding in or fond of figures of speech:

   Elizabethan poetry is highly figurative.

   Synonyms: grandiloquent, florid, elaborate, flowery, ornamental, ornate

4. representing by means of a figure or likeness, as in drawing or sculpture.
5. representing by a figure or emblem; emblematic.

figurative

/ ˈfɪɡərətɪv /

adjective

1. of the nature of, resembling, or involving a figure of speech; not literal; metaphorical
2. using or filled with figures of speech
3. representing by means of an emblem, likeness, figure, etc
4. (in painting, sculpture, etc) of, relating to, or characterized by the naturalistic representation of the external world

Derived Forms

• ˈfigurativeness, noun
• ˈfiguratively, adverb

Other Words From

• fig·ur·a·tive·ly adverb
• fig·ur·a·tive·ness noun
• non·fig·ur·a·tive adjective
• non·fig·ur·a·tive·ness noun
• sem·i·fig·ur·a·tive adjective
• sem·i·fig·ur·a·tive·ness noun
• un·fig·ur·a·tive adjective
• un·fig·ur·a·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of figurative¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English figuratif, fygurative, from Old French figuratif, from Late Latin figūrātīvus; figure ( def ), -ative

Example Sentences

It is perhaps not a coincidence that when Vi and Caitlyn finally consummate their relationship, the literal seduction is linked to Vi’s figurative succumbing to Caitlyn’s politics: She accepts the badge, with all of the raw emotion of a zealous new recruit to a supposedly noble cause.

From Salon

We've got to let figurative take over for a while to bring some order to all this chaos'.

From BBC

Clíodhna Doherty, an abstract figurative artist, will showcase her art piece Laura in the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris.

From BBC

Once the smoke — figurative or literal — clears, elected Republicans could be expected to turn to opposing the new Harris administration.

From Los Angeles Times

Indeed, Elliott suspects that the figurative doorsteps of individual homeowners are already being bombarded with these insurance-related problems.

From Salon

Related Words

• allegorical
• descriptive
• fanciful
• florid
• metaphoric
• metaphorical
• pictorial