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

Parts of the book made sense on an allegorical level, but not on a literal level. —Literary Hub, 18 June 2026

Cornices, marble, allegorical touches, and the building’s old grandeur all help create a dramatic atmosphere. —Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

By now, the story of the ‘Nova Knicks is almost allegorical. —Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 10 June 2026

Cardinale was particularly fond of the shape, which the brand used as an allegorical representation of its birth city’s many cupolas. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 22 May 2026

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

Rhymes for allegorical

• ahistorical
• metaphorical
• oratorical
• unhistorical
• historical
• rhetorical
• sociohistorical