figurative
Use Figurative in a sentence
yər adjective
1.
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.
2.
metaphorically so called: His remark was a figurative boomerang.
3.
abounding in or fond of figures of speech: Elizabethan poetry is highly figurative. Synonyms: ornate, ornamental, flowery, elaborate, florid, grandiloquent.
4.
representing by means of a figure or likeness, as in drawing or sculpture.
5.
representing by a figure or emblem; emblematic.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin figūrātīvus (see figurate, -ive); replacing Middle English figuratif < Middle French
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin figūrātīvus (see figurate, -ive); replacing Middle English figuratif < Middle French
Related forms
fig·ur·a·tive·ly, adverb
fig·ur·a·tive·ness, noun
non·fig·ur·a·tive, adjective
non·fig·ur·a·tive·ly, adverb
non·fig·ur·a·tive·ness, noun
sem·i·fig·ur·a·tive, adjective
sem·i·fig·ur·a·tive·ly, adverb
sem·i·fig·ur·a·tive·ness, noun
un·fig·ur·a·tive, adjective
un·fig·ur·a·tive·ly, adverb
un·fig·ur·a·tive·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To figurative
00:10
Figurative
is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
figurative (ˈfɪɡərətɪv) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | of the nature of, resembling, or involving a figure of speech; not literal; metaphorical |
| 2. | using or filled with figures of speech |
| 3. | representing by means of an emblem, likeness, figure, etc |
| 4. | (in painting, sculpture, etc) of, relating to, or characterized by the naturalistic representation of the external world |
| 'figuratively | |
| —adv | |
| 'figurativeness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
figurative
late 14c., from Fr. figuratif, from L.L. figurativus, from figurare (see figure). Of speech, language, etc., "involving figures of speech," from 1845. Related: Figuratively
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
In turn, those perceptions can enhance colleges' literal and figurative fortunes.
The future would be characterized not by the literal but only the figurative war of ideas.
Nearly every word presents a concrete meaning, clearly visible even through a figurative use.
The trouble with intoxication, figurative or not, is that it stands in the way of reason.
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