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 of figurative

• metaphoric
• figural
• symbolic

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

As an abstract expressionist in the 1950s and 1960s, her concerns had been mostly formal, but the new paintings would be political, figurative, erotic, and female-centered. —Regina Marler, The New York Review of Books, 28 May 2026

And then, in a figurative blink of an eye, the months-long march to a second NHL championship in five years was over. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 27 May 2026

Travelers cite presidential rhetoric and policies manifesting in highly public wars — both figurative and literal — as some of the reasons for staying away. —Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 25 May 2026

Yuskavage, who is now in her sixties, began showing her paintings in the nineteen-nineties, and has since become one of the most important—and certainly one of the most successful—American figurative painters working today. —Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 23 May 2026

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