figurative

adjective

fig·u·ra·tive ˈfi-g(y)ə-rə-tiv

Synonyms of figurative next

: representing by a figure or resemblance : emblematic

the figurative dove of peace

: of or relating to representation of form or figure in art

figurative sculpture

: 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

: 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.

At more than 30,000 years old, these paintings are considered the oldest figurative rock art in the world, though their age and significance are still debated. —Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2024 With the wave of a figurative white flag, could gentle parenting be moving to the fringes of the parenting zeitgeist alongside helicopter and snowplow parenting — philosophies that encouraged parents to hover over their child and remove all obstacles from their path? —Lynda Lin Grigsby, NBC News, 26 Oct. 2024 Later, self-consciously naturalistic painters would work hard to resolve these kinds of tensions, which run through figurative art and Christianity both. —Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2024 Our Maurice salads, literal and figurative, are killing us. —Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for figurative

Word History

Etymology

Middle English figuratif "representing symbolically," from Medieval Latin figūr�?tīvus, from Latin figūr�?tus, past participle of figūr�?re "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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Figurative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figurative. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

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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

Last Updated: 25 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

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figurative

adjective

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Synonyms

Examples of figurative in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near figurative

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Kids Definition