figurative
adjective/ˈfɪɡərətɪv/
/ˈfɪɡjərətɪv/
[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
Want to learn more?
Find out which words work together and produce more natural sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app.
- (of paintings, art, etc.) showing people, animals and objects as they really look
- a figurative artist
Word OriginMiddle English: from late Latin figurativus, from figurare ‘to form or fashion’, from figura ‘shape, figure, form’; related to fingere ‘form, contrive’.
Check pronunciation:
figurative