figurative

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word figurative. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word figurative, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say figurative in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word figurative you have here. The definition of the word figurative will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition offigurative, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

From Middle French figuratif.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈfɪɡəɹətɪv/
  • (file)

Adjective

figurative (comparative more figurative, superlative most figurative)

  1. Of use as a metaphor, simile, metonym or other figure of speech, as opposed to literal; using figures; as when saying that someone who eats more than they should is a pig or like a pig.
    • 2005 May 1, “The Sea of Love”, in New York Times:
      The lovers she seems to pursue with her figurative language in fact retreat under the barrage of similes, metaphors and fables.
  2. Metaphorically so called.
  3. With many figures of speech.
  4. Emblematic, symbolic; representative, exemplative
    • 1594–1597, Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, , London: Will Stansby , published 1611, →OCLC, (please specify the page):
      This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the true glory of a more divine sanctity.
  5. (art) Representing forms recognisable in life and clearly derived from real object sources, in contrast to abstract art.
    • 1875-1886, John Addington Symonds, Renaissance in Italy
      They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form.

Antonyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

See also

Further reading

French

Pronunciation

Adjective

figurative

  1. feminine singular of figuratif

German

Pronunciation

Adjective

figurative

  1. inflection of figurativ:
    1. strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular
    2. strong nominative/accusative plural
    3. weak nominative all-gender singular
    4. weak accusative feminine/neuter singular

Italian

Adjective

figurative

  1. feminine plural of figurativo

Anagrams

Norwegian Bokmål

Adjective

figurative

  1. definite singular/plural of figurativ

Norwegian Nynorsk

Adjective

figurative

  1. definite singular/plural of figurativ