allegorical

Also al·le·gor·ic

[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

Other Word Forms

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

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

Its blunt, allegorical references to fascism figure to play well postelection, but kids will like it too!

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

• figurative 
• metaphorical