Word Adverb
figuratively
adv.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /fɪɡˈjʊɹətɪvɫi/ UK /fˈɪɡjʊɹˌeɪtɪvli/ fig·u·ra·tive·ly
Definition
adv.in a way that uses words to describe something, rather than using the actual thing. You use this when you want to say something is not literal.
adv.in a non-literal or metaphorical sense. Often used to distinguish between a symbolic or descriptive meaning and a literal one.
Examples
“He is figuratively speaking, not literally.”
“The team figuratively crossed the finish line, even though they were still miles away from the actual race track.”
“While the author uses the phrase figuratively to describe the city's growth, the underlying economic data suggests a literal expansion of the urban core.”
Etymology
From figurative + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated