fig ‧ u ‧ ra ‧ tive /ˈfɪɡjərətɪv, ˈfɪɡjʊrətɪv, -ɡə-/ BrE AmE adjective
1 . a figurative word or phrase is used in a different way from its usual meaning, to give you a particular idea or picture in your mind ⇨ literal :
He’s my son, in the figurative sense of the word.
2 . technical figurative art shows objects, people, or the countryside as they really look ⇨ abstract
—figuratively adverb :
They have a taste – figuratively speaking – for excitement.