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 included figurative language, literary references, and the use of Easter eggs. —Henry Alford, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

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