figuratively

/ˈfɪɡərətɪvli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɪɡjərətɪvli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfi-g(y)ə-rə-tiv-lē/ (ame, mw)

figuratively — 副詞

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

1.副詞B2
釋義

比喻地；象徵地

以隱喻方式使用詞語，非字面義

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.

例句

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

當 Sofia 說她有一噸的工作要做時，她是在比喻地說——她的桌子確實很亂，但並非真的被重物壓住。

figuratively speaking — contrasting with literal meaning

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

教練告訴球隊，他們比喻上必須移山倒海才能在本季贏得冠軍。

figuratively + metaphorical verb phrase (move mountains)

同義詞
反義詞
  • literally

    directly opposite — means 'exactly as stated'

文法句型

figuratively speaking

figuratively + verb/adjective

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.副詞C1
釋義

具象地；寫實地

以可辨認的實物形態呈現的藝術風格

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.

例句

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

Oluwaseun 偏好具象繪畫，捕捉舞者身體的確切姿態，而非以抽象漩渦來表達情感。

paint figuratively — collocation in art context

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

這間藝廊的新展覽已脫離具象風格；裡面的雕塑不再以寫實方式雕刻。

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

paint/sculpt/draw figuratively

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.