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figuratively

[ fig-yer-uh-tiv-lee ]

adverb

  1. in a way that involves or invokes a metaphor or figure of speech; metaphorically:

    Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated to remove darkness from our lives both literally and figuratively.

    We figuratively envision personal space as an aura or a soap bubble.

  2. by means of a figure, likeness, or emblem:

    In art and literature, the former kingdom was often figuratively presented as a woman.



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Other Word Forms

  • ԴDz·ھ·ܰ··پ· adverb
  • ··ھ·ܰ··پ· adverb
  • ܲ·ھ·ܰ··پ· adverb
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Word History and Origins

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Compare Meanings

How does figuratively compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

If you are from, say, Bangladesh or Tanzania and want to visit another country, including the United States, you will be figuratively, if not literally, stripped naked like Schmidt.

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He means what he says both literally and figuratively.

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It’s where you can catch most of the punk bands on the festival bill and it is one of the coolest spots, literally and figuratively.

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Somewhere in the middle — both geographically and figuratively — is Kate, all smiles about her life in Austin, TX., and very secretive about her politics.

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They mean what they say both literally and figuratively.

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figurative languagefigure