figurative

adjective

fig·​u·​ra·​tive ˈfi-g(y)ə-rə-tiv How to pronounce figurative (audio)
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 downLewis 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).

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Imperial Irrigation District, which provides water to farmers in the southeastern corner of California, drew a figurative line in the sand earlier this month, calling for a halt to the conversion of agricultural fields into solar panel farms. Dan Walters, Mercury News, 17 July 2025 Our 2008 rudimentary data analytics revealed these anomalies, a figurative abacus compared to the sophisticated analytics technology OIGs and federal staff have nowadays. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025 His striking work, Protest, depicts the bloodshed of Sri Lanka’s long civil war, using books that are charred or rendered illegible, often decorated with symbolic or figurative objects, like toy-soldier figurines marching across a soiled page. Thessaly La Force, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2025 The memorial will also feature figurative sculptures, including one depicting the queen with Philip. Aurora Martínez, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for figurative

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of figurative was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Figurative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figurative. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

figurative

adjective
fig·​u·​ra·​tive ˈfig-(y)ə-rət-iv How to pronounce figurative (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on figurative

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