Read along with the three podcasts, or open the full dictionary entry for Figurative for the definition, Arabic meaning, synonyms and example sentences.
Narrator: Today's word is "Figurative" — adjective, pronounced /ˈfɪɡərətɪv/, with the stress on "fig".
Narrator: Figurative means using words in a non-literal, metaphorical or symbolic way.
Narrator: In plain English, figurative language is not literal — like saying it's raining cats and dogs is figurative.
Narrator: It comes from the Latin figurativus, meaning figurative, from figura, a figure or shape.
Narrator: "Figurative language" describes language that uses metaphor, simile and symbolism.
Narrator: It differs from literal because figurative is symbolic, whereas literal means exactly what it says.
Narrator: "Figurative art" is a sense meaning art that represents real objects, not abstract.
Narrator: Literature, art, language, education and rhetoric all rely on the word figurative.
Narrator: So remember: figurative means non-literal, from the Latin for a figure.
Speaker A: What does figurative mean?
Speaker B: Non-literal! FIGURATIVE comes from the Latin figurativus, from figura, a figure, so it means using words metaphorically or symbolically.
Speaker A: So raining cats and dogs is figurative?
Speaker B: Yes — not literally animals falling!
Speaker A: Example sentences?
Speaker B: "Figurative language"; "figurative art"; "a figurative meaning" — language, art and sense.
Speaker A: Common mistakes?
Speaker B: Don't confuse figurative with literal, because figurative is symbolic, while literal is exact.
Speaker A: Close relatives?
Speaker B: 'Metaphorical' the general cousin, 'symbolic' the representing twin, 'non-literal' the plain alternative. The word keeps its expressive charm!
Speaker B: Let's use "figurative" in AI prompts — useful for writing apps and language tools.
Speaker A: So a prompt could frame writing?
Speaker B: Right. For a writing app, you'd write:
Prompt: Write a short guide to figurative language, naming two types.
Speaker A: How about a language tool?
Speaker B: Ask the model to explain:
Prompt: Draft a lesson on figurative versus literal meaning, naming one example.
Speaker A: Could it help with an art bot?
Speaker B: Yes, you can frame style:
Prompt: Summarise in two sentences what figurative art is, naming one contrast.
Speaker A: One more?
Speaker B: For an ESL chatbot, try this:
Prompt: Write a short exercise on figurative idioms, naming two examples.
Figurative — meaning in Arabic & definition More F courses GL Dictionary