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- Dictionaryfig·ur·a·tive/ˈfiɡ(y)ərədiv/
adjective
- 1. departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical: "gold, in the figurative language of the people, was “the tears wept by the sun.”"
- 2. (of an artist or work of art) representing forms that are recognizably derived from life.
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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.
FIGURATIVE definition: 1. (of words and phrases) used not with their basic meaning but with a more imaginative meaning, in…. Learn more.
Any figure of speech — a statement or phrase not intended to be understood literally — is figurative. You say your hands are frozen, or you are so hungry you could eat a horse. That's being figurative. In art, figure means "human or animal form," so a figurative drawing might show horses running across a field.
FIGURATIVE meaning: 1. (of words and phrases) used not with their basic meaning but with a more imaginative meaning, in…. Learn more.
4 meanings: 1. of the nature of, resembling, or involving a figure of speech; not literal; metaphorical 2. using or filled with.... Click for more definitions.
[usually before noun] (of language, words, phrases, etc.) used in a way that is different from the usual meaning, in order to create a particular mental picture. For example, ‘He exploded with rage’ shows a figurative use of the verb ‘explode’. compare literal, metaphorical. Questions about grammar and vocabulary?
A figurative meaning of a word or phrase is a more imaginative meaning developed from the usual meaning.
Figurative language refers to words or phrases that are meaningful, but not literally true. If you say “that news hit me like a ton of bricks,” you are using figurative language; listeners understand the news you got was deeply moving, and also know that you were not actually hit by 2000 pounds of bricks (because if you had been you would ...
FIGURATIVE meaning: 1 : used with a meaning that is different from the basic meaning and that expresses an idea in an interesting way by using language that usually describes something else not literal; 2 : showing people and things in a way that resembles how they really look not abstract.
1. of the nature of or involving a figure of speech, esp. a metaphor; metaphorical; not literal. 2. characterized by or abounding in figures of speech.
