figuratively

IPA/ˈfɪɡərətɪvli/
KK[fɪɡjˈʊrətɪvli]IPA/ˈfɪɡjərətɪvli/

figuratively — adverb

1. using a word or phrase in a way that gives it a symbolic or imaginative meaning,

1.adverbB2
Definition

using a word or phrase in a way that gives it a symbolic or imaginative meaning, rather than its most basic dictionary meaning — for example, saying someone 'flew through the exam' when they did not actually fly but completed it very fast.

Example

When Sofia said she had a ton of work, she was speaking figuratively — her desk was messy but not literally weighed down.

figuratively speaking — contrasting with literal meaning

The coach told the team that they figuratively had to move mountains to win the championship this season.

figuratively + metaphorical verb phrase (move mountains)

Common collocations
  • figuratively speaking
  • figuratively dead
  • figuratively drowning (in work)
  • figuratively flew
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • literally

    directly opposite — means 'exactly as stated'

Grammar Patterns

figuratively speaking

figuratively + verb/adjective

Usage Note

Frequently contrasted with literally to clarify that an expression is not meant factually. In formal writing, use figuratively when a metaphor or exaggeration might otherwise be misinterpreted as a factual claim.

Common Mistakes

I was literally dying of laughter' (when you mean you laughed very hard).
I was figuratively dying of laughter.
Use 'figuratively' for exaggerated or metaphorical expressions, not 'literally.'
He figuratively jumped out of the window' (in a literal escape scene).
He figuratively jumped out of the window' (expressing strong frustration).
Reserve 'figuratively' for non-literal, symbolic meanings.

2. in a style of visual art that shows people, animals, or objects with recognisabl

2.adverbC1
Definition

in a style of visual art that shows people, animals, or objects with recognisable real-world forms, rather than using abstract shapes or colours alone.

Example

Oluwaseun prefers to paint figuratively, capturing the exact posture of the dancers rather than expressing their emotions through abstract swirls.

paint figuratively — collocation in art context

The gallery's new exhibition moves away from figurative work; none of the sculptures are carved figuratively anymore.

Common collocations
  • paint figuratively
  • sculpt figuratively
  • work figuratively
  • figuratively from life
  • figuratively rather than abstractly
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

paint/sculpt/draw figuratively

Usage Note

Restricted to discussions of painting, sculpture, drawing, and other visual arts. The antonym in this sense is abstractly, not literally. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense has nothing to do with language or figures of speech.

Common Mistakes

This novel is written figuratively' (meaning with metaphors).
This novel uses figurative language.
For literary style, use 'figurative language' as a noun phrase; 'figuratively' as an adverb in sense 2 is only about visual art.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Figuratively is the broadest of the three, covering any non-literal use of language — hyperbole, idiom, metaphor, and simile. Metaphorically is narrower: it describes language that draws a direct comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as' (e.g. 'time is a thief'). Symbolically goes further still, referring to an object or action that stands for an abstract idea (e.g. a dove symbolising peace). In everyday speech, figuratively is the safest choice when you simply mean 'not literally'. For example: 'I figuratively exploded with anger' is a general exaggeration; 'I metaphorically exploded like a volcano' uses a specific comparison; 'the raised fist was symbolically powerful' refers to a cultural symbol.

metaphorically ↗symbolicallyfiguratively ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • figuratively speaking

Phrases

  • figuratively dead
  • figuratively drowning
  • figuratively speaking

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin figurativus, from figura 'shape, form, figure' — the same root that gives us figure and figurative. The core idea is 'related to shape or form', which developed two branches: in language, it came to mean 'using words in a shaped or twisted way (metaphorically)'; in visual art, it kept the original sense of 'representing a recognisable shape'. The adverb form figuratively appeared in English in the late 1500s.