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

But is there the appetite—both literally and figuratively—for all these openings to succeed? —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2025

With injuries along his offensive line, Herbert will find himself under pressure both literally and figuratively. —Mike Jones, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

The film, which centers on a woman whose life is literally and figuratively crashing down around her, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival before heading to the Berlin Film Festival, where Byrne was awarded the best actress prize. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025

Activists literally or figuratively flying the antifa flag have long been among the subset of people who go to protests to destroy property and get into violent skirmishes with far-right protestors (like the Proud Boys). —Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above