allegorical

adjective

al·​le·​gor·​i·​cal ˌa-lə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl 

-ˈgär-

1

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of allegory

allegorical paintings

allegorical meanings of images

allegorical symbols of our culture

2

: having hidden spiritual meaning that transcends the literal sense of a sacred text

allegorically

ˌa-lə-ˈgȯr-i-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈgär-

adverb

allegoricalness

ˌa-lə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl-nəs 

-ˈgär-

noun

Examples of allegorical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Told in allegorical language, Jesus is locked in a cosmic battle with the forces of evil. —Russell Contreras, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024

Yu himself created the 10-episode Hulu series, partnering with executive producer and pilot director Taika Waititi to bring the novel’s surreal, allegorical world to life. —Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024

This piece is almost allegorical—the opposite of online culture. —Lisa Chase, Outside Online, 29 Nov. 2024

Rasoulof has talked about purposefully making his films less allegorical as his career has progressed, preferring to present his stories about oppression and totalitarianism plainly, so that his resentments are indisputable. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

allegoric "allegorical" (borrowed from Late Latin allēgoricus, borrowed from Greek allēgorikós, from allēgoría allegory + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1