Figuratively means metaphorically, and literally describes something that actually happened. If you say that a guitar solo literally blew your head off, your head should not be attached to your body.
Literally is an adverb that refers to the literal meaning or exact sense of a word or phrase. Meanwhile, figuratively means in its figurative sense or metaphorically. Similes, hyperboles, and metaphors are examples of words and phrases with figurative meanings.
Since words and phrases typically have both literal and figurative meanings, it's easy to know when to use each of these terms, once you understand the difference between the two. You can literally open a package as soon as it arrives but you can only figuratively open your heart to love.
Figuratively refers to a metaphor. A metaphor is a direct comparison between two things. So if someone is speaking figuratively, then they are using a comparison for emphasis. Example 1: Figuratively speaking, I was in a prison I couldn't escape. Example 2: I'm so tired I could die.
For example, if an athlete is doing well, you might say they're “on fire” figuratively. If their clothes catch on fire (which hopefully doesn't happen), then they'd be on fire literally.
Some common figures of speech are alliteration, anaphora, antimetabole, antithesis, apostrophe, assonance, hyperbole, irony, metonymy, onomatopoeia, paradox, personification, pun, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.
Sometimes, we use both words together to emphasize a literal and figurative meaning.
He was literally [=truly, actually] insane. He was quite literally jumping up and down in his rage. The party was attended by literally hundreds of people.
On this page you'll find 30 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to figurative, such as: allegorical, descriptive, fanciful, florid, metaphoric, and metaphorical.
Irony is when we say one thing but mean another, usually the opposite of what we say. When someone makes a mistake and you say, Oh ! that was clever ! that is irony. Youre saying clever to mean not clever.
figuratively - used to indicate a departure from a literal use of words; metaphorically. metaphorically - in a way that uses or relates to metaphor; figuratively. metaphor - a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
For example: His face turned as red as a beet, figuratively speaking of course. Don't be scared! When I said I wanted to kill you I was speaking figuratively.
You use literally to emphasize that what you are saying is true, even though it seems exaggerated or surprising. Putting on an opera is a tremendous enterprise involving literally hundreds of people.
The adjective figurative comes from the Old French word figuratif, which means “metaphorical.” Any figure of speech — a statement or phrase not intended to be understood literally — is figurative. You say your hands are frozen, or you are so hungry you could eat a horse. That's being figurative.
On this page you'll find 38 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to literally, such as: actually, completely, directly, plainly, precisely, and really.
The adverb literally means "actually," and we use it when we want others to know we're serious, not exaggerating or being metaphorical. If your mom complains that your room is overflowing with clothes, she probably doesn't mean this literally.
1. : in a literal sense or manner: such as. a. : in a way that uses the ordinary or primary meaning of a term or expression. He took the remark literally.
We define literally in two senses: 1) in a literal sense or manner : actually. 2) in effect : virtually.
When used to describe language, "literally" means that the words mean exactly what they say--with no comparison, understatement, or overstatement. The word "figuratively" refers to language that does use comparison, understatement, or overstatement.
"If someone says something is literally the case, they usually want to add emphasis," he says. Ian Brookes, consultant editor at Collins English Dictionary, agrees the figurative and metaphorical use of the word crept into the English language as an intensifier.
A great heart, literally, is one that pumps blood to keep one's body healthy. The heart connects to the complex circulatory system, which supplies the body's cells with oxygen and releases carbon dioxide into the air. ▪ A person who demonstrates a figurative great heart is one who is generous, courageous, or heroic.
Figurative language is the opposite of literal language. Whereas literal language always means exactly what it says, figurative language uses various figures of speech to convey meaning in unusual and creative ways.