figurative
Americanadjective
-
of the nature of or involving a figure of speech, especially a metaphor; metaphorical and not literal.
The word "head" has several figurative senses, as in "She's the head of the company."
- Synonyms:
- symbolic, metaphorical
-
metaphorically so called.
His remark was a figurative boomerang.
-
abounding in or fond of figures of speech.
Elizabethan poetry is highly figurative.
- Synonyms:
- grandiloquent, florid, elaborate, flowery, ornamental, ornate
-
representing by means of a figure or likeness, as in drawing or sculpture.
-
representing by a figure or emblem; emblematic.
adjective
-
of the nature of, resembling, or involving a figure of speech; not literal; metaphorical
-
using or filled with figures of speech
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representing by means of an emblem, likeness, figure, etc
-
(in painting, sculpture, etc) of, relating to, or characterized by the naturalistic representation of the external world
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of figurative
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English figuratif, fygurative, from Old French figuratif, from Late Latin figūrātīvus; see origin at figure ( def. ), -ative
Explanation
When speech or writing is not literal, it is figurative, like when you say you have a ton of homework. You don't really have 2000 pounds of homework, do you? Also, when art depicts a figure from life it is figurative, like a figurative drawing of a dancer. The adjective figurative comes from the Old French word figuratif, which means “metaphorical.” Any figure of speech — a statement or phrase not intended to be understood literally — is figurative. You say your hands are frozen, or you are so hungry you could eat a horse. That's being figurative. In art, figure means "human or animal form," so a figurative drawing might show horses running across a field.
Vocabulary lists containing figurative
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Vocabulary of the Common Core
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We know this because the Murdochs’ family squabbles spilled into the news, late-night monologues and the figurative streets of social media at the height of their struggles.
From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2026
In the figurative paintings of Veronica Fernandez’s first solo exhibition, “Prey,” the artist’s childhood is recalled through dreamlike and fantastical scenes, with memories filtered through experience and emotion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2026
The concept of a theater family is both literal and figurative in “American Classic,” and while there might be a revival—as in a second season—one hopes not.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 27, 2026
"The most important centre of Islamic civilisation in the 15th century endorsed figurative art," he added.
From Barron's ● Feb. 4, 2026
Apart from the still lifes, what I’m showing is mostly figurative, although there are a couple of constructions made from drinking straws and uncooked macaroni, and one called Silver Paper.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
