allegorical

[ al-i-gawr-i-kuhl, -gor- ]

adjective

1. consisting of or pertaining to allegory; of the nature of or containing allegory; figurative:

   an allegorical poem;

   an allegorical meaning.

allegorical

/ ˌælɪˈɡɒrɪkəl /

adjective

1. used in, containing, or characteristic of allegory

Derived Forms

• ˌalleˈgorically, adverb

Other Words From

• al·le·gor·i·cal·ly adverb
• al·le·gor·i·cal·ness noun
• non·al·le·gor·ic adjective
• non·al·le·gor·i·cal adjective
• non·al·le·gor·i·cal·ly adverb
• sem·i·al·le·gor·ic adjective
• sem·i·al·le·gor·i·cal adjective
• sem·i·al·le·gor·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·al·le·gor·i·cal adjective
• un·al·le·gor·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of allegorical¹

First recorded in 1520–30; equivalent to Late Latin allēgoric(us) (from Greek allēgorikós; allegory, -ic ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

But there are similar allegorical tests at work within these episodes.

From Salon

Westrate, however, is less concerned with the allegorical meaning of this battle than with the interpersonal dynamics of the combatants.

From Los Angeles Times

It is a symbol of freedom through French history and represents allegorical figures of the French republic.

From BBC

The sculptures’ significance was allegorical as well as architectural: Department stores, though erected mostly by men, have always been feminine domains.

From New York Times

I was straddling a wafer-thin allegorical fence: The young man my parents wanted me to be versus who I was becoming.

From Salon

Related Words

• figurative
• metaphorical