allegorical

American  

[al-i-gawr-i-kuhl, -gor-] / ˌæl ɪˈgɔr ɪ kəl, -ˈgɒr- /

Also allegoric

adjective

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

   an allegorical poem;

   an allegorical meaning.

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allegorical British  

/ ˌælɪˈɡɒrɪkəl /

adjective

1. used in, containing, or characteristic of allegory

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Other Word Forms

• allegorically adverb
• allegoricalness noun
• nonallegoric adjective
• nonallegorical adjective
• nonallegorically adverb
• semiallegoric adjective
• semiallegorical adjective
• semiallegorically adverb
• unallegorical adjective
• unallegorically adverb

Etymology

Origin of allegorical

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

Example Sentences

For Zigmont, the dog is not only an allegorical concern, but also a truly practical one.

From MarketWatch

Smith has trained a live camera on a raised arm, finger pointed up, from a 1907 allegorical figure by Edward V. Valentine called “Vindicatrix,” also known as “Miss Confederacy.”

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, they thought the story of Revelation was maybe a little more allegorical, and actually humans are moving toward New Jerusalem ourselves.

From Salon

Even so, it is the freshness of allegorical audacity as a young genius looks ahead that has the most relevance.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

Related Words

• figurative
• metaphorical