What does figuratively mean?

Definitions for figuratively
ˈfɪg yər ə tɪv lifig·u·ra·tive·ly

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word figuratively.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. figurativelyadverb

    in a figurative sense

    "figuratively speaking,..."

Wiktionary

  1. figurativelyadverb

    In a figurative manner.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Figurativelyadjective

    By a figure; in a sense different from that which words originally imply; not literally.

    Etymology: from figurative.

    The custom of the apostle is figuratively to transfer to himself, in the first person, what belongs to others. Henry Hammond.

    The words are different, but the sense is still the same; for therein are figuratively intended Uziah and Ezechias. Brown.

    Satyr is a kind of poetry in which human vices are reprehended, partly dramatically, partly simply; but, for the most part, figuratively and occultly. John Dryden, Juvenal, Dedicat.

ChatGPT

  1. figuratively

    Figuratively is an adverb that refers to speech or writing that departs from a literal or factual meaning in order to achieve a particular effect, often by using metaphors, analogies, hyperbole, or other forms of imaginative or symbolic language. It is used to convey an abstract or non-literal meaning related to the context or subject it is used with.

Suggested Resources

  1. Figuratively

    Literally vs. Figuratively -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Literally and Figuratively.

How to pronounce figuratively?

How to say figuratively in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of figuratively in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of figuratively in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of figuratively in a Sentence

  1. Prince Harry:

    I’m writingthis notas the prince I was born but as the man I have become.I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story — the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned — I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think, i’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a firsthand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful.

  2. Benjamin Netanyahu:

    There is palpably renewed energy in our relationship, I mean that figuratively and literally, ... We think that by cooperating with each other we can take it out more easily, we can market it better, to the betterment of both our societies.

  3. Prince Harry:

    I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become, i’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story – the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned – I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think.

  4. Tom Jones:

    The fact that Dave Chipman has resolved complaints of discrimination in some kind of settlement in a closed-door room doesn't absolve him of behaving inappropriately, it means the accuser didn’t want to spend months, if not years, literally and figuratively litigating this issue.

  5. Charles Scribner, Jr.:

    Beyond the formative effects of reading on the individuals composing society, the fact that they have read the same books gives them experiences and ideas in common. These constitute a kind of shorthand of ideas which helps make communication quicker and more efficient. That is what we mean when we say figuratively of another person, We speak the same language.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

figuratively#10000#56230#100000

Translations for figuratively

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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"figuratively." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/figuratively>.

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