FIGURATIVE


Meaning of FIGURATIVE in English

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.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.