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

Today, the continent is balancing on the edge of a meltdown—both literal and figurative. —Elizabeth Buchanan, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2024

There was no shortage of jabs, both literal and figurative, during a brawl Tuesday in which rookie Pavel Mintyukov proved his mettle and all 12 players on the ice, goalies included, got involved. —Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 13 Mar. 2024

Riken Yamamoto of Japan is recognized for modest designs that inspire social connection and both literal and figurative transparency. —Robin Pogrebin, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024

By the nineteen-sixties and seventies, however, more and more of them were emerging, some working abstractly and conceptually, others dedicated to making figurative, narrative art about Black people and their lives in a society that was becoming increasingly mixed. —Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024

Over the years, circle skirts by Ms. Charlot and her many imitators came adorned with a range of figurative appliqués, often comprising small visual narratives. —Margalit Fox, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024

Connick will join the signature orchestra for real and figurative fireworks (July 2-4). —Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Feb. 2024

Pictured above: Zhu Jinshi, Valley in the Mirror No. 1, 2022, oil on canvas After several years of figurative painting’s domination of the contemporary-art scene, some of the freshest-looking canvases hanging in galleries and art fairs in recent months have been abstractions. —Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 28 Jan. 2024

That could be as literal as needing to be on the phone with family members every night or as figurative as seeing aspects of your own historical roots reflected in every war memorial. —Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 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