figuratively
adverb/ˈfɪɡərətɪvli/
/ˈfɪɡjərətɪvli/
- in a way that involves using words or phrases with a meaning that is different from usual, in order to create a particular mental picture
- She is, figuratively speaking, holding a gun to his head.
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- (in art) in a way that shows people, animals and objects as they really look
- a painter who paints figuratively
Check pronunciation:
figuratively