figurative

Universal Words adjective [usuallybeforenoun] 1 (of language, words, phrases, etc.) used in a way that is different from the usual meaning, in order to create a particular mental image. For example, 'He exploded with rage' shows a figurative use of the verb 'explode'. compareLITERAL, METAPHORICAL 2 (of paintings, art, etc.) showing people, animals and objects as they really look: a figurative artist / painter compareABSTRACT figuratively adverb: She is, figuratively speaking, holding a gun to his head.