figurative

adjective

fig·​u·​ra·​tive ˈfi-g(y)ə-rə-tiv 

1

a

: representing by a figure or resemblance : emblematic

the figurative dove of peace

b

: of or relating to representation of form or figure in art

figurative sculpture

2

a

: expressing one thing in terms normally denoting another with which it may be regarded as analogous : metaphorical

figurative language

in a figurative sense, civilization marches up and down

—Lewis Mumford

b

: characterized by figures of speech

a figurative description

figurativeness noun

Did you know?

Words and phrases can have both literal and figurative meanings, and we all use words with both kinds of meanings every day of our lives. We can literally close the door to a room, or we can figuratively close the door to further negotiations—that is, refuse to take part in them. Figurative language includes figures of speech, such as similes ("she's been like a sister to me") and metaphors ("a storm of protest"). And sometimes it's hard to tell whether a phrase is literal or figurative: If I say I "picked up" a little Spanish in Mexico, is that literal or figurative? You've probably noticed that lots of the definitions in this book show both a literal meaning (often something physical) and a figurative meaning (often nonphysical).

Synonyms

• extended
• figural
• metaphoric
• metaphorical
• tropical
• tropological

Examples of figurative in a Sentence

The phrase “know your ropes” means literally “to know a lot about ropes,” while its figurative meaning is “to know a lot about how to do something.”

the figurative use of “allergy” to mean “a feeling of dislike”

Recent Examples on the Web

Our Maurice salads, literal and figurative, are killing us. —Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 2 Dec. 2024

Staub Cast-Iron Wide Oval Cocotte $350 $230 Food52 The only thing more covetable than a regular Staub cocotte is a black cast-iron one (which is extremely metal, in a literal and figurative sense). —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024

Gina tells Tamra she was hurt when Tamra tried to throw her under a figurative red double-decker bus in London, collateral damage in Tamra’s current feud with Shannon. —Peter Larsen, Orange County Register, 1 Nov. 2024

One room, for instance, features unlikely figurative works by the two, Gierowski in his early career, Scully in his later artworks—the former’s early works read as studies for the latter’s. —Nargess Banks, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English figuratif "representing symbolically," from Medieval Latin figūrātīvus, from Latin figūrātus, past participle of figūrāre "to shape, make a likeness of, represent" + -īvus -ive — more at figure entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing figurative

• figurative language

Kids Definition

figurative

adjective

fig·​u·​ra·​tive ˈfig-(y)ə-rət-iv 

: expressing one thing in terms normally used for another : metaphorical

the figurative use of "foot" in "the foot of the mountain"

figuratively adverb

figurativeness noun