figuratively
gb/fɪɡjˈʊɹɪtɪvli/ us/fɪɡjˈʊɹɪtɪvli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
in a non-literal way
Not in the exact meaning, but as a metaphor.
Usage pattern:
figuratively, [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use figuratively when they mean literally (true in fact), or place it so it sounds like it modifies the wrong part of the sentence.
Synonyms
metaphorically (More explicitly connected to metaphor.)
|
nonliterally (Directly contrasts with literal meaning.)
Antonyms
literally (In the exact, factual sense of the words.)
|
verbatim (Word-for-word, without figurative language.)
Collocations
figuratively speaking
|used figuratively
|not figuratively
|meant figuratively
|take it figuratively
|understand figuratively
|only figuratively
|almost figuratively
|figuratively and literally
|figuratively on fire
Themes
language
|communication
|writing_speech
Examples
- After the merger, the company was figuratively drowning in paperwork.
- When she said her phone exploded, she meant it figuratively—it just stopped working.
- The stadium was figuratively shaking from the crowd’s noise.
Learner examples
- He was figuratively frozen with fear.
- I didn’t mean it literally; I meant it figuratively.
adverb
technical
C1
property
2
in figurative art style
In an art style that shows real-looking people or objects.
Usage pattern:
work [verb] figuratively
Synonyms
representationally (Common in art contexts; emphasizes recognizable representation.)
Antonyms
abstractly (Using non-representational shapes rather than figures.)
Collocations
paint figuratively
|draw figuratively
|work figuratively
|render figuratively
|sculpt figuratively
Themes
art
|visual_arts
Examples
- She usually paints abstract scenes but decided to work figuratively for this exhibition.
- The artist trained in anatomy so he could draw figuratively with more accuracy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
figuratively
IPA
GB/fɪɡjˈʊɹɪtɪvli/
US/fɪɡjˈʊɹɪtɪvli/
Syllables & stress
fig - ur - at - ively (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ur)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: figuratively
- Plural: figurativelies
Word family
Forms
figurativelies
noun
Core family
figure
noun B1
figurative
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
figuration
noun
Expressions
both literally and figuratively
1/bˈoʊθ lˈɪtɚəli ˈænd fɪɡjˈʊɹɪtɪvli/
fixed phrase
in real and metaphorical senses
True in the real way and the metaphorical way.
Examples
- After the storm, the town was underwater both literally and figuratively.
- He carried the team both literally and figuratively during the hike.
- The new manager opened doors for her staff, both literally and figuratively.
figuratively speaking
1/fɪɡjˈʊɹɪtɪvli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
used to mark a metaphor
Used to say: this is a metaphor.
Examples
- Figuratively speaking, he had a mountain of work to finish.
- The negotiations were, figuratively speaking, a tightrope walk.
- I’m not actually starving—figuratively speaking, I just skipped lunch.
figuratively, if not literally
1/fɪɡjˈʊɹɪtɪvli | ˈɪf nˈɑt lˈɪtɚəli/
fixed phrase
metaphorical and almost real
True as a metaphor, and maybe almost true for real.
Examples
- By midnight we were, figuratively if not literally, running on fumes.
- The deadline was so tight that everyone was, figuratively if not literally, holding their breath.
in the figurative sense
1/ˈɪn ðə fˈɪɡjɚɪtɪv sˈɛns/
fixed phrase
formal
in the non-literal meaning
In the metaphor meaning, not the real one.
Examples
- He used the word “blind” in the figurative sense, meaning unwilling to notice problems.
- In the figurative sense, “cold” can describe someone who seems unfriendly.