What Is Figurative Language? | Definition & Examples
Figurative language is the use of words to convey meaning beyond their usual or literal understanding. Its primary purpose is to create an effect, generate humor, or exaggerate a point. Overall, we encounter figurative language in a wide range of contexts, from artistic expression to everyday conversations.
The cat was purring with contentment on my lap.
His requests for a raise have been met with deafening silence.
My niece is a little angel.
What is figurative language?
Figurative language is a literary tool that employs words with non-literal meanings. Whereas literal language conveys information directly, figurative language requires creative interpretation as its meaning or intention goes beyond the typical uses of words and phrases.
It is important to note that when people say “figurative language,” they do not always mean the same thing. The narrow definition of figurative language usually includes figures of speech that play with the meaning of words, such as irony and metaphor (also known as tropes). However, some people also include literary devices such as alliteration and onomatopoeia that are related to word order, syntax, letters, and sounds, which are known as schemes.
Regardless of how we define it, figurative language allows us to convey ideas and images in a creative and memorable way. In literature, it is a versatile tool that enables writers to engage a reader’s imagination and sense of humor. Without figurative language, stories would be flat and uninteresting. Also, poetry would be hard to understand if one only focused on its literal meaning, as it heavily relies on this literary device.
Figurative language examples
Figurative language typically involves figures of speech, such as metaphors, similes, and other literary devices. By deviating from a word’s literal meaning, figurative language allows us to express ourselves and adds color to our language.
Types of figurative language
There are different types of figurative language, each with its unique purpose and effect.
Here are some of the most common ones:
Idiom
An idiom is an expression whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meanings of the words it is made of. Because idioms do not align with literal interpretations or standard grammatical rules, they can be challenging for non-native speakers.
Let the cat out of the bag [to accidentally reveal a secret]
Turn a blind eye [to refuse to acknowledge a known truth]
Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is described in terms of another, unrelated thing. The comparison is usually implicit (i.e., they do not include the words “like” or “as”).
Time is money.
He is the black sheep of his family.
Simile
A simile is an explicit comparison between two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.” Its purpose is to emphasize or exaggerate a specific quality of one thing by comparing it to something else.
She’s as fierce as a tiger.
He was as quiet as a mouse.
Hyperbole
A hyperbole is an exaggerated comparison or overstatement typically used to express a strong emotion, make a point, or add humor.
I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
It was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop a mile away.
Personification
Personification is the metaphorical attribution of human traits, like thoughts, feelings, and actions, to something non-human.
The dead leaves danced in the cold winter breeze.
After six hours of driving, the car begged the driver to stop.
Alliteration
Alliteration occurs when two or more words in close proximity begin with the same consonant sound. We often encounter alliteration in literature and tongue twisters.
“But,” said she, “this butter’s bitter!
If I put it in my batter,
It will make my batter bitter.
But a bit of better butter
Will but make my batter better.”
Irony
Irony is saying something that is the opposite of what you mean or what the reality of the situation is. In other words, there is a contrast between the literal statement and the intended meaning.
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is using words that imitate the sound of the thing they describe. This can be anything from mechanical sounds to animal vocalizations.
Oxymoron
An oxymoron occurs when we use two words with opposite or contradictory meanings to express a new meaning.
Creating a business is all about taking calculated risks.
Their affair was an open secret in the office.
Analogy
An analogy is a comparison between two things to highlight their similarities. Analogies are often used to explain principles or ideas.
Frequently asked questions about figurative language
- What are different types of figurative language?
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There are several different types of figurative language, each category with its own specific purpose and impact. Some of the most commonly used types of figurative language include metaphor, simile, personification, and irony.
- What is an example of figurative language?
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An example of figurative language is the sentence “I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.” More specifically, “once in a blue moon” is an idiom that indicates something extremely rare in occurrence.
