What does "figurative" mean?

Of use as a metaphor, simile, metonym or other figure of speech, as opposed to literal; using figures.

What is a synonym for "figurative"?

Common synonyms include: extended, figural, metaphorical, adorned, algorismic, algorithmic.

Pronounced //ˈfɪɡəɹətɪv//.

//ˈfɪɡəɹətɪv// adj

adj ·Common ·High school level

Adjective

1
Of use as a metaphor, simile, metonym or other figure of speech, as opposed to literal; using figures.
"The lovers she seems to pursue with her figurative language in fact retreat under the barrage of similes, metaphors and fables."
2
Metaphorically so called.
3
With many figures of speech.
4
Emblematic, symbolic; representative, exemplative
"This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the true glory of a more divine sanctity."
5
Representing forms recognisable in life and clearly derived from real object sources, in contrast to abstract art.
"1875-1886, John Addington Symonds, Renaissance in Italy They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form."