# allegorical

/ˌæɫəˈɡɔɹəkəɫ/ (US) · /ˌælɪɡˈɒɹɪkəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/allegorical
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

describing a story or picture that uses characters and events to represent real people or ideas. You use this when the meaning is hidden behind a simple surface story.

For teachers: representing abstract or spiritual ideas by characters, figures, or events in narrative, painting, or dramatic form. Often used to describe works where the literal plot serves as a metaphor for a deeper moral or political message.

## Examples

- The story is an allegorical tale about the struggle between good and evil.
- The artist used allegorical symbols to represent the virtues of wisdom and justice in the mural.
- The novel is a masterful allegorical work, using the journey of a single character to explore the complex social hierarchies of the era.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.