figurative language

noun

: language that consists of or includes figures of speech (such as metaphors and similes)
Scenes that flourish with figurative language are juxtaposed with others that are brutally clinical, presented succinctly with the cold, hard facts.Joshua Chong
Poetry is a valuable literary art form often not taught at the elementary level. This is unfortunate because exploring figurative language with elementary students can lead to critical and abstract thinking.Damon Poirier

Examples of figurative language in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Use metaphors to infuse your strategy with figurative language that fosters clarity and engagement. Sherzod Odilov, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 But that doesn’t make her careless use of figurative language any less painful to sit through. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2024 Idioms, metaphors and similes are all types of figurative language. Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 19 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of figurative language was in 1629

Dictionary Entries Near figurative language

Cite this Entry

“Figurative language.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figurative%20language. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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