a. | 1. | Representing by a figure, or by resemblance; typical; representative. | |||
2. | Used in a sense that is tropical, as a metaphor; not literal; - applied to words and expressions. | ||||
3. | Abounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid; | ||||
4. | Relating to the representation of form or figure by drawing, carving, etc. See Figure, They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form.
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Adj. | 1. | figurative - (used of the meanings of words or text) not literal; using figures of speech; "figurative language" Synonyms: nonliteral Antonyms: literal - limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text; "a literal translation" |
2. | figurative - consisting of or forming human or animal figures; "a figural design"; "the figurative art of the humanistic tradition"- Herbert Read Synonyms: figural |