figuratively
gb/fɪɡjˈʊɹɪtɪvli/ us/fɪɡjˈʊɹɪtɪvli/
B2
英语
义项
0 个义项
adverb
B2
property
1
in a non-literal way
Not in the exact meaning, but as a metaphor.
用法模式：
figuratively, [clause]
常见错误：
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.
近义词
metaphorically (More explicitly connected to metaphor.)
|
nonliterally (Directly contrasts with literal meaning.)
反义词
literally (In the exact, factual sense of the words.)
|
verbatim (Word-for-word, without figurative language.)
搭配
figuratively speaking
|used figuratively
|not figuratively
|meant figuratively
|take it figuratively
|understand figuratively
|only figuratively
|almost figuratively
|figuratively and literally
|figuratively on fire
主题
language
|communication
|writing_speech
例句
- 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.
学习者例句
- 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.
用法模式：
work [verb] figuratively
近义词
representationally (Common in art contexts; emphasizes recognizable representation.)
反义词
abstractly (Using non-representational shapes rather than figures.)
搭配
paint figuratively
|draw figuratively
|work figuratively
|render figuratively
|sculpt figuratively
主题
art
|visual_arts
例句
- 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.
语法
词典原形
figuratively
IPA
GB/fɪɡjˈʊɹɪtɪvli/
US/fɪɡjˈʊɹɪtɪvli/
音节与重音
fig - ur - at - ively （4 个音节）
Stress on 2nd syllable (ur)
词形变化
Noun
- Base: figuratively
- Plural: figurativelies
词族
Forms
figurativelies
noun
Core family
figure
noun B1
figurative
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
figuration
noun
相关表达
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.
例句
- 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.
例句
- 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.
例句
- 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.
例句
- 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.