English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle French figuratif.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈfɪɡəɹətɪv/
  • (file)

Adjective edit

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[1]:
      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[iam] Stansby [for Matthew Lownes], 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 edit

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Translations edit

See also edit

Further reading edit

French edit

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

figurative

  1. feminine singular of figuratif

German edit

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

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 edit

Adjective edit

figurative

  1. feminine plural of figurativo

Anagrams edit

Norwegian Bokmål edit

Adjective edit

figurative

  1. definite singular/plural of figurativ

Norwegian Nynorsk edit

Adjective edit

figurative

  1. definite singular/plural of figurativ