Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [fig-yer-uh-tiv]
- /ˈfɪg yər ə tɪv/
- /ˈfɪɡ.ər.ə.tɪv/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [fig-yer-uh-tiv]
- /ˈfɪg yər ə tɪv/
Definitions of figurative word
- adjective figurative of the nature of or involving a figure of speech, especially a metaphor; metaphorical and not literal: The word “head” has several figurative senses, as in “She's the head of the company.”. Synonyms: metaphorical, not literal, symbolic. 1
- adjective figurative metaphorically so called: His remark was a figurative boomerang. 1
- adjective figurative abounding in or fond of figures of speech: Elizabethan poetry is highly figurative. Synonyms: ornate, ornamental, flowery, elaborate, florid, grandiloquent. 1
- adjective figurative representing by means of a figure or likeness, as in drawing or sculpture. 1
- adjective figurative representing by a figure or emblem; emblematic. 1
- noun figurative Departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of figurative
First appearance:
before 1350 One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English < Late Latin figūrātīvus (see figure) + -ive; replacing Middle English figuratif < Middle French
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Figurative
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
figurative popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 90% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
figurative usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for figurative
adj figurative
- descriptive — Descriptive language or writing indicates what someone or something is like.
- allegorical — An allegorical story, poem, or painting uses allegory.
- metaphorical — a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.”. Compare mixed metaphor, simile (def 1).
- florid — reddish; ruddy; rosy: a florid complexion.
- fanciful — characterized by or showing fancy; capricious or whimsical in appearance: a fanciful design of butterflies and flowers.
adjective figurative
- symbolic — serving as a symbol of something (often followed by of).
- literal — in accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical: the literal meaning of a word.
- emblematic — Serving as a symbol of a particular quality or concept; symbolic.
- abstract — An abstract idea or way of thinking is based on general ideas rather than on real things and events.
- emblematical — See emblematic.
Antonyms for figurative
adj figurative
- literal — in accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical: the literal meaning of a word.
- real — true; not merely ostensible, nominal, or apparent: the real reason for an act.
- straightforward — going or directed straight ahead: a straightforward gaze.
Top questions with figurative
- what is figurative languages?
- what is figurative language?
- what does figurative language mean?
- what does figurative mean?
- why do poets use figurative language?
- what type of figurative language?
- why do writers use figurative language?
- what is a figurative language?
- what is the definition of figurative language?
- what figurative language?
- what is figurative?
- what are the types of figurative language?
- what is figurative language mean?
- what type of figurative language is this?
- why do authors use figurative language?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with f
- Words starting with fi
- Words starting with fig
- Words starting with figu
- Words starting with figur
- Words starting with figura
- Words starting with figurat
- Words starting with figurati
- Words starting with figurativ
- Words starting with figurative