What does figuratively mean?
English Language Learners Definition of figuratively
: in a figurative way : with a meaning that is different from the basic or literal meaning and that expresses an idea by using language that usually describes something else.
How do you use figuratively in a sentence?
Using Figuratively in a Sentence
- His face turned as red as a beet, figuratively speaking of course.
- Don’t be scared! When I said I wanted to eliminate you I was speaking figuratively. What I literally meant was that I was very angry at you. That’s all.
What is the difference between figuratively speaking and literally speaking?
Figuratively is defined as based on or making use of figures of speech; metaphorical. So while literally means free from any metaphor or allegory, figurative deals specifically with these kinds of figures of speech. For example, She broke the figurative ceiling that was holding her back.
Can you use literally figuratively?
Literally means ‘figuratively. ‘ Like it or not, that’s the way it is in English, and despite the recent uproar on Reddit and Buzzfeed over dictionaries recognizing the usage, it’s not new—literally has always been figurative.
What is literal and figurative examples?
Literal language is used to mean exactly what is written. Figurative language is used to mean something other than what is written, something symbolic, suggested, or implied. For example: It was raining cats and dogs, so I rode the bus.
What can I say instead of literally?
other words for literally
- actually.
- completely.
- directly.
- plainly.
- precisely.
- really.
- simply.
- truly.