allegorical

adjective

al·​le·​gor·​i·​cal ˌa-lə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl 

-ˈgär-

1

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of allegory

allegorical paintings

allegorical meanings of images

allegorical symbols of our culture

2

: having hidden spiritual meaning that transcends the literal sense of a sacred text

allegorically

ˌa-lə-ˈgȯr-i-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈgär-

adverb

allegoricalness

ˌa-lə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl-nəs 

-ˈgär-

noun

Examples of allegorical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Even Elio Vittorini’s Conversation in Sicily (1941), the most celebrated anti-Fascist Italian novel of the war years, operates in a murky, allegorical register; it couldn’t have been published otherwise. —Christopher Tayler, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

Its blunt, allegorical references to fascism figure to play well postelection, but kids will like it too! —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024

Told in allegorical language, Jesus is locked in a cosmic battle with the forces of evil. —Russell Contreras, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024

Yu himself created the 10-episode Hulu series, partnering with executive producer and pilot director Taika Waititi to bring the novel’s surreal, allegorical world to life. —Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

allegoric "allegorical" (borrowed from Late Latin allēgoricus, borrowed from Greek allēgorikós, from allēgoría allegory + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1