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

The other medieval link comes from the ‘allegorical’ aspect of the jewelry, as the illustrations in the pieces tell a story across the entire collection. —Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

Like its poetic English-language title, the allegorical tale can be a little confusing to interpret at times, but looks striking in its line-free illustrative style. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025

The personal abjection in McGahern’s novels is best understood as an allegory of social despair, which is in turn allegorical of a godless existence. —Sam Sacks, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

The allegorical painting is routinely interpreted as a message that death is always just around the corner. —Ivan Amato, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for allegorical

• ahistorical
• metaphorical
• oratorical
• unhistorical
• historical
• rhetorical
• sociohistorical