figure of speech: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Academic, Literary
Quick answer
What does “figure of speech” mean?
An expression used in a non-literal way for rhetorical or vivid effect.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An expression used in a non-literal way for rhetorical or vivid effect.
A word or phrase that departs from straightforward, literal language to achieve a special effect or meaning through imagery, emphasis, or clarity. It is a fundamental component of literary and rhetorical analysis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in both linguistic traditions.
Connotations
Neutral and technical. Associated with language study, literature, and rhetoric.
Frequency
Equally common in academic and educated discourse in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “figure of speech” in a Sentence
[VERB] a figure of speech (e.g., use, employ, analyse)[BE] a figure of speech[IDENTIFY] something as a figure of speechVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “figure of speech” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To 'figure something out' is a common phrasal verb, unrelated to 'figure of speech'.
- The data doesn't figure in our main report.
American English
- I can't figure out how this works.
- He figures to be the leading candidate.
adverb
British English
- She spoke figuratively about the journey of life.
- The cost is figuratively speaking, astronomical.
American English
- He meant it figuratively, not literally.
- Figuratively, the company is on fire.
adjective
British English
- The figurative language in the poem was striking.
- Her salary is now into six figures.
American English
- That's a figurative expression, not literal.
- They lost a figure-skating champion.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like marketing or persuasive communication training (e.g., 'The slogan uses a figure of speech to create emotional appeal').
Academic
Very common in literature, linguistics, and communication studies courses and texts.
Everyday
Used in educated conversation when discussing language, writing, or media analysis.
Technical
Core term in rhetoric, stylistics, poetics, and literary criticism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “figure of speech”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “figure of speech”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “figure of speech”
- Using it to refer to a specific example without the article 'a' (e.g., 'That's figure of speech' should be 'That's a figure of speech').
- Confusing it with 'part of speech' (which refers to grammatical categories like noun, verb).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it is a type of figure of speech. An idiom is a fixed phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meanings of its words (e.g., 'kick the bucket'). 'Figure of speech' is the broader category that includes idioms, as well as metaphors, similes, hyperbole, etc.
Typically, a figure of speech involves a phrase or a specific use of words. However, some classifications consider devices like 'onomatopoeia' (a word that imitates a sound) or 'antonomasia' (using a proper name as a common noun, e.g., 'a Hercules') as figures of speech, which can be realised in a single word.
No, the concept exists in all languages. The English term is used when discussing English rhetoric, but equivalent terms exist in other languages (e.g., 'stilfigur' in German, 'figura retórica' in Spanish). It is a universal linguistic and literary concept.
Understanding figures of speech improves comprehension of literature, media, and everyday communication. It enhances your own writing and speaking skills by providing tools for persuasion, vivid description, and emphasis. It is also crucial for advanced language exams and academic study.
An expression used in a non-literal way for rhetorical or vivid effect.
Figure of speech is usually formal, academic, literary in register.
Figure of speech: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɪɡər əv ˈspiːtʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɪɡjər əv ˈspitʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A figure of speech is not meant to be taken literally.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FIGURE skater—they don't just skate in straight lines; they create patterns and artistic forms. A FIGURE OF SPEECH doesn't use language in a straight, literal line; it creates artistic patterns with words.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A TOOLKIT (with figures of speech as specific tools for crafting meaning).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically classified as a figure of speech?