figurative
/ˈfɪɡ(ə)rətɪv
/adjective
1Departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical: a figurative expression...
- For example, is the term metaphor itself literal or figurative?
- Teens comprehend abstract language, such as idioms, figurative language, and metaphors.
- A figurative remark takes on literal construction, a metaphor is concretized in fact.
Synonyms
metaphorical, non-literal, symbolic, allegorical, representative, emblematic;
imaginative, fanciful, poetic, ornate, literary, flowery, florid
rare tropical, parabolic
2(Of an artist or work of art) representing forms that are recognizably derived from life.The standard was derived from the smaller figurative works on some of the larger paintings and then we kept to that....
- On the contrary at any given point of time an abstract artist could do figurative work.
- Duncan creates elegant female forms and her work is figurative, though not representational.
Derivatives
figurativeness
/ noun ...- Förster's figurativeness never corresponded to the dogmas of socialist realism, and was misunderstood and massively criticised in the early years of the GDR.
- The works are unified - surprisingly, given the figurativeness of the show - by abstract elements used by all of the artists.
- That figurativeness was really funny.
Origin
Middle English: from late Latin figurativus, from figurare 'to form or fashion', from figura (see figure).