figurative language
MediumFormal, Literary, Academic, Educational
Definition
Meaning
A general term for creative, non-literal use of language to express ideas in vivid, imaginative ways.
Language that employs figures of speech (e.g., metaphor, simile, personification) to go beyond the literal meaning of words for rhetorical, descriptive, or poetic effect.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Contrasts with 'literal language.' The term is often used metalinguistically to discuss language itself. It can refer to a specific instance or the general concept.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The concept is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with literary analysis in UK educational contexts; in the US, it is a core term in English Language Arts (ELA) standards from primary school.
Frequency
High frequency in both educational/academic contexts; low frequency in everyday conversation.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] uses figurative language to [effect].The [text/poem] is full of figurative language.Identify the figurative language in [sentence].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not directly applicable - the term itself describes a category of idioms and other devices]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in marketing or creative copywriting (e.g., 'Our slogan uses figurative language to evoke innovation').
Academic
Central to literary criticism, linguistics (stylistics), and rhetoric. Used to analyze texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing books, films, or explaining a turn of phrase (e.g., 'That's just figurative language; he didn't mean it literally').
Technical
A key term in stylistics, semiotics, and computational linguistics (e.g., figurative language detection).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The poet figuratively paints a scene of despair.
- She spoke figuratively about her heart being a locked garden.
American English
- He didn't mean it literally; he was speaking figuratively.
- The author figuratively drowns the character in sorrow.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- 'It's raining cats and dogs' is figurative language; it means it's raining heavily.
- Poems often have figurative language.
- The author uses figurative language like similes to make descriptions more vivid.
- Can you find an example of figurative language in this paragraph?
- Analysing the figurative language in Shakespeare's sonnets reveals deeper layers of meaning.
- Her speech was criticised for lacking any original figurative language and being overly literal.
- Postmodern texts frequently employ self-conscious figurative language to undermine traditional narrative conventions.
- The translator struggled to render the culturally specific figurative language of the original poem into English.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FIGurative language paints a PICTURE with words (think of 'fig' as in 'figure' - a shape or form, not the literal thing).
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A PICTURE / LANGUAGE IS A LANDSCAPE (it decorates, colours, and shapes the terrain of meaning).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'фигуральный язык' which is unnatural. Use 'образный язык' (obraznyy yazyk).
- Do not confuse with 'figurative' meaning 'related to statues/figures' (which would be 'скульптурный').
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with 'formal language'.
- Using 'figurative' to mean 'vague' or 'approximate'.
- Misspelling as 'figuritive'.
- Thinking it applies only to metaphors.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a type of figurative language?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very closely related. 'Figurative language' is the broader category or general style. A 'figure of speech' is a specific instance or technique (e.g., a metaphor) within that category.
Absolutely. While common in poetry, figurative language is essential in all creative writing, including novels, short stories, and even persuasive essays and journalism.
Often, yes. Much slang originates as metaphorical or metonymic extensions (e.g., 'cool' for 'good', 'bread' for 'money'). However, not all slang is figurative, and not all figurative language is slang.
It develops critical reading skills (decoding meaning), enriches creative writing, enhances communicative expressiveness, and deepens understanding of cultural and literary texts.