Word · CEFR C2 · Frequency #20849
figurative
比喻的
not literal; using figures of speech
- 1.
Of use as a metaphor, simile, metonym or other figure of speech, as opposed to literal; using figures.
用作隐喻、明喻、转喻或其他修辞手法的,与字面意义相对；使用修辞的。
- 2.
Metaphorically so called.
隐喻地如此称呼的。
- 3.
With many figures of speech.
使用许多修辞手法的。
- 4.
Emblematic, symbolic; representative, exemplative.
象征性的,符号性的；代表性的,示例性的。
- 5.
Representing forms recognisable in life and clearly derived from real object sources, in contrast to abstract art.
表现生活中可辨认形态,明确源自真实物体,与抽象艺术相对。
用作隐喻、明喻、转喻或其他修辞手法的,与字面意义相对；使用修辞的。；隐喻地如此称呼的。；使用许多修辞手法的。；象征性的,符号性的；代表性的,示例性的。；表现生活中可辨认形态,明确源自真实物体,与抽象艺术相对。
In use
The poet used figurative language to describe the sunset.
In the phrase 'a heart of gold', 'heart' is used in a figurative sense.
His description of the market as a jungle is figurative, not a real place.
be figurative
该词作表语时，表示某句话或表达具有比喻性质，常与“字面的”相对。
The description is figurative, not literal.
这段描写是比喻性的，不是字面上的。
use sth in a figurative sense
这个搭配表示在比喻意义而非字面意义上使用某个词或表达。
The author uses the word in a figurative sense.
作者在比喻意义上使用这个词。
the figurative meaning of [word]
这个结构用于说明某个词或词组的比喻义。
Connections
Collocations
- figurative language
- 比喻性语言
- The teacher explained that figurative language is not meant to be taken literally.老师解释说，比喻性语言不能按字面意思理解。
- figurative sense
- 比喻义
- When she called him a 'rock', she meant it in a figurative sense.她称他为‘rock’时，是在比喻意义上说的。
- figurative expression
- 比喻说法
- 'The world is a stage' is a well-known figurative expression.‘The world is a stage’是著名的比喻说法。
- figurative use
- 比喻用法
- The verb 'grasp' has a figurative use in the phrase 'grasp an idea'.动词‘grasp’在‘grasp an idea’这个短语中有比喻用法。
- figurative device
- 修辞手法
- Simile and metaphor are two common figurative devices.明喻和暗喻是两种常见的修辞手法。
Learner notes
Memory Tip
想想 figure（形象）：figurative 就是用形象打比方，绕开字面意思说话。
Context & Register
语域：mixed 常见场景：literary analysis、everyday speech 该词表示“比喻的、非字面的”，正式与非正式场合都能用。较常见于文学或语言分析，日常口语里也有 figuratively speaking 的说法，所以实际使用会随语境变化，可按中性处理。
Grammar Note
常用作定语或表语，表示“比喻的”，与 literal（字面的）相对。
Pronunciation & Spelling
None of these words is a true rhyme with figurative (/ˈfɪɡjʊrətɪv/): a true rhyme would need the same stressed vowel and all following sounds. Figure, figurine, and configuration contain the same /fɪɡjə/ sound; curative and operative share the final /rətɪv/ suffix but stress a different syllable, so they only resemble it. Figment is a lookalike: /ˈfɪɡmənt/ has no /j/.
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, OCTANOVE, WIKTIONARY.