1 figurative | Definition of figurative
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figurative

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

Definition of figurative

1a : 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
2a : 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
b : characterized by figures of speech a figurative description
Other Words from figurative Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about figurative

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Other Words from figurative

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

 Riddle also produced figurative paintings and large-scale ceramic sculptures. — Los Angeles Times, "Datebook: A show about the Santa Monica Airport at the Santa Monica Airport," 30 Aug. 2019 Nicole and Charlie spar and claw at each other, drawing figurative blood if not the real kind. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, "Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story Understands That No One Outside a Marriage Can Know the Truth of It," 29 Aug. 2019 Meanwhile, the rest of the country was in a figurative pressure-cooker. — Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, "Sick of the heat? Here's where you can find a cool family vacation in summer," 18 Aug. 2019 Coleman, who wasn’t in contention during the first three days of voting, joined Central-Phenix City legend Woodrow Lowe, Carroll standout Wilbur Jackson and Lee-Montgomery running back Fred Beasley on the figurative mountain. — Ben Thomas | [email protected], al, "Former Pike County standout Steve Coleman makes final run to reach SE Mount Rushmore," 9 Aug. 2019 Many of its famous names were revealed to be victims, and Weinstein was pushed down the figurative stairs. — Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, "“Big Little Lies” Season 2 Was a Metaphor for Power in Hollywood in the #MeToo Era," 23 July 2019 How to honor what felt like an epochal achievement but seems, at the moment, like a historical cul de sac, an act of heroism in a literal and figurative vacuum? — Bruce Handy, The New Yorker, "Goodnight Moon Landing," 18 July 2019 The artwork features creatures, figurative and fantasy, that are finished with acrylic washes and velvet glazes. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Woman’s club installs new officers...local events," 15 July 2019 Their Inflatocookbook was a catalog of designs for inflatable structures, a plastic architecture that was a literal and figurative rejection of the rigidity of conventional building. — Mark Lamster, Dallas News, "The epic tale of the House of the Century, the trippy Texas icon that defies polite description," 12 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'figurative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of figurative

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for figurative

Middle English figuratif "representing symbolically," from Medieval Latin figĆ«rātÄ«vus, from Latin figĆ«rātus, past participle of figĆ«rāre "to shape, make a likeness of, represent" + -Ä«vus -ive — more at figure entry 2

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More Definitions for figurative

figurative

adjective
How to pronounce figurative (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of figurative

of words, language, etc. : 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
: showing people and things in a way that resembles how they really look : not abstract

See the full definition for figurative in the English Language Learners Dictionary

figurative

adjective
fig·​u·​ra·​tive | \ ˈfi-gyə-rə-tiv How to pronounce figurative (audio) \

Kids Definition of figurative

: expressing one thing in terms normally used for another The word “foot” is figurative in “the foot of the mountain.”

Other Words from figurative

figuratively adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on figurative

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for figurative

Spanish Central: Translation of figurative

Nglish: Translation of figurative for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of figurative for Arabic Speakers

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