figurative language
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for figurative language, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Words and phrases used in a way that departs from their literal meaning in order to create an image, comparison or effect, as in metaphor, simile, personification and hyperbole.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
figures of speech
metaphorical language
non-literal language
Antonyms
literal language
How to use figurative language
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
types of figurative language
use figurative language
identify figurative language
rich in figurative language
Standard in schools and literary criticism; treated as an uncountable noun, so say "some figurative language", not "a figurative language".
Etymology
From Latin figura, meaning shape or form, via Old French figuratif.
Full origin of figurative language →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between figurative and literal language?
Literal language means exactly what the words say — "it is raining heavily". Figurative language means something other than the surface meaning to create an effect — "it is raining cats and dogs". The literal version is factual; the figurative version is imaginative.
Is an idiom figurative language?
Yes. An idiom such as "bite the bullet" or "spill the beans" cannot be worked out from the individual words, so it counts as figurative. Idioms differ from fresh metaphors in being fixed expressions that a whole speech community already knows.
Why do writers use figurative language?
It compresses a lot of meaning into few words, makes abstract ideas concrete, and gives writing a distinctive voice. A simile like "cold as a stone" conveys feel and mood faster than a plain description would.
