figurative > define

adjective

• Used of the meanings of words or text. ( not literal; using figures of speech)
  • usage: "figurative language"
  • synonyms: nonliteral
• Consisting of or forming human or animal figures."a figural design"; "the figurative art of the humanistic tradition- Herbert Read
  • synonyms: figural

• (a.) Abounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid; as, a highly figurative description.
• (a.) Used in a sense that is tropical, as a metaphor; not literal; -- applied to words and expressions.
• (a.) Relating to the representation of form or figure by drawing, carving, etc. See Figure, n., 2.
• (a.) Representing by a figure or by resemblance; typical; representative.