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figurative
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As an adjective, figurative means of use as a metaphor, simile, metonym or other figure of speech, as opposed to literal.
Meanings of figurative
6 meaningsadjective
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.
Metaphorically so called.
With many figures of speech.
Emblematic, symbolic; representative, exemplative
artRepresenting forms recognisable in life and clearly derived from real object sources, in contrast to abstract art.
Consisting of or forming human or animal figures
“a figural design”
“the figurative art of the humanistic tradition”
Similar: figural
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).