figuratively

adverb

fig·​u·​ra·​tive·​ly ˈfi-g(y)ə-rə-tiv-lē 

: in a figurative way: such as

a

: with a meaning that is metaphorical rather than literal

Speaking of panic, I recently ran into (figuratively, not literally) a friend who was ranting about giant "bees" digging holes in his lawn.

—Ron Kujawski

Poor small-town America. During the last gasps of this fevered election, pollsters, zealous campaign foot soldiers and reporters are kicking down its doors, figuratively speaking …

—Doug Colligan

b

: in a way intended to represent the form or figure of something or someone having objective reality : in a way that is not purely abstract

Franz Kline, who had always painted figuratively, made his breakthrough in 1949 when he looked at one of his sketches in a Bell-Opticon magnifier, and saw the rough, thrusting horizontals and verticals that became the basis of his new abstract style.

—Calvin Tomkins

Examples of figuratively in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During years of futility, fans have wept collectively both figuratively and literally. —Shaheem Reid, Variety, 16 June 2026

By taking his film to Black neighborhoods and Black audiences across the country, Martin hopes to both figuratively and physically bring the outdoor industry to them. —Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

But the growing fervor for sardines hinges on something more superficial, literally and figuratively. —Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 June 2026

After three decades of literally and figuratively stepping into Revere’s buckled shoes, Lepage plans on retiring from his day job this summer. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above