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When it rains, it pours - figuratively and literally.
John Cornyn

Meaning of "figuratively" in the English dictionary

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DICTIONARY
section

PRONUNCIATION OF FIGURATIVELY

figuratively  [ˈfɪɡərətɪvlɪ] play
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GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF FIGURATIVELY

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Figuratively is an adverb.
The adverb is an invariable part of the sentence that can change, explain or simplify a verb or another adverb.

WHAT DOES FIGURATIVELY MEAN IN ENGLISH?

Definition of figuratively in the English dictionary

The definition of figuratively in the dictionary is metaphorically; not literally; using figures of speech. Other definition of figuratively is using naturalistic representations of the external world.


WORDS THAT RHYME WITH FIGURATIVELY


administratively
ədˈmɪnɪstrətɪvlɪ
co-operatively
kəʊˈɒpərətɪvlɪ
collaboratively
kəˈlæbərətɪvlɪ
comparatively
kəmˈpærətɪvlɪ
cooperatively
kəʊˈɒpərətɪvlɪ
corroboratively
kəˈrɒbərətɪvlɪ
curatively
ˈkjʊərətɪvlɪ
declaratively
dɪˈklærətɪvlɪ
decoratively
ˈdɛk ərətɪvlɪ
demonstratively
dɪˈmɒnstrətɪvlɪ
illustratively
ˈɪləstrətɪvlɪ
imperatively
ɪmˈpɛrətɪvlɪ
iteratively
ˈɪtərətɪvlɪ
lucratively
ˈluːkrətɪvlɪ
narratively
ˈnærətɪvlɪ
operatively
ˈɒpərətɪvlɪ
pejoratively
pɪˈdʒɒrətɪvlɪ
penetratively
ˈpɛnɪtrətɪvlɪ
postoperatively
pəʊstˈɒpərətɪvlɪ
preoperatively
priːˈɒpərətɪvlɪ

WORDS THAT BEGIN LIKE FIGURATIVELY

figurability
figurable
figural
figurally
figurant
figurante
figurate
figurate number
figuration
figurative
figurativeness
figure
figure eight
figure of eight
figure of fun
figure of merit
figure of speech
figure on
figure out
figure skater

WORDS THAT END LIKE FIGURATIVELY

actively
aggressively
alternatively
collectively
creatively
cumulatively
effectively
excessively
exclusively
extensively
inductively
lively
lovely
massively
negatively
objectively
positively
progressively
relatively
respectively
selectively

Synonyms and antonyms of figuratively in the English dictionary of synonyms

SYNONYMS

Translation of «figuratively» into 25 languages

TRANSLATOR
online translator

TRANSLATION OF FIGURATIVELY

Find out the translation of figuratively to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.
The translations of figuratively from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «figuratively» in English.

Translator English - Chinese

比喻
1,325 millions of speakers

Translator English - Spanish

figurativamente
570 millions of speakers

English

figuratively
510 millions of speakers

Translator English - Hindi

लाक्षणिक
380 millions of speakers
ar

Translator English - Arabic

المجازي
280 millions of speakers

Translator English - Russian

образно
278 millions of speakers

Translator English - Portuguese

figurativamente
270 millions of speakers

Translator English - Bengali

রূপকভাবে
260 millions of speakers

Translator English - French

métaphoriquement
220 millions of speakers

Translator English - Malay

Secara kiasan
190 millions of speakers

Translator English - German

im übertragenen Sinne
180 millions of speakers

Translator English - Japanese

比喩的に
130 millions of speakers

Translator English - Korean

비 유적으로
85 millions of speakers

Translator English - Javanese

Figuratif
85 millions of speakers
vi

Translator English - Vietnamese

tượng trưng
80 millions of speakers

Translator English - Tamil

அடையாளப்பூர்வமாக
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Marathi

लाक्षणिकरित्या
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Turkish

mecazi olarak
70 millions of speakers

Translator English - Italian

figurativamente
65 millions of speakers

Translator English - Polish

przenośni
50 millions of speakers

Translator English - Ukrainian

образно
40 millions of speakers

Translator English - Romanian

figurat
30 millions of speakers
el

Translator English - Greek

μεταφορικά
15 millions of speakers
af

Translator English - Afrikaans

figuurlik
14 millions of speakers
sv

Translator English - Swedish

bildligt
10 millions of speakers
no

Translator English - Norwegian

billedlig
5 millions of speakers

Trends of use of figuratively

TRENDS

TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «FIGURATIVELY»

The term «figuratively» is quite widely used and occupies the 48.692 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.
0
100%
FREQUENCY
Quite widely used
78
/100
The map shown above gives the frequency of use of the term «figuratively» in the different countries.
Principal search tendencies and common uses of figuratively
List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «figuratively».

FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «FIGURATIVELY» OVER TIME

The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «figuratively» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «figuratively» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day.

Examples of use in the English literature, quotes and news about figuratively

EXAMPLES

10 QUOTES WITH «FIGURATIVELY»

Famous quotes and sentences with the word figuratively.
1
John Cornyn
When it rains, it pours - figuratively and literally.
2
Leeza Gibbons
Anybody who's serious about their passion in life gets doors slammed in their face, literally and figuratively.
3
John Gielgud
Your English style will no doubt put all the other gentlemen to bed. I speak figuratively, of course.
4
Stephen Jay Gould
I love the wry motto of the Paleontological Society, meant both literally and figuratively, for hammers are the main tool of our trade: Frango ut patefaciam - I break in order to reveal.
5
Peter Guber
Nothing drew me to the film business. I was propelled by the fear and anxiety of Vietnam. I had been drafted into the Marines. My brother was already serving in Vietnam. I bought, if you will, a stay of execution - both literally and figuratively - and went on to graduate school of business from the law school that I was attending.
6
Al Jarreau
I am a distance runner, a marathoner... literally and figuratively.
7
Josie Maran
Luckily, my husband is my business partner as well as my life partner, so I never had to do the heavy lifting alone, literally or figuratively.
8
Susan Orlean
A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky, unbidden, and seems like a thing of wonder.
9
David Sylvian
I knew that I had to find my own voice, both figuratively and literally.
10
Gene Tunney
In youth, we get plenty of exercise through games and running around, but as middle life approaches, we settle down, literally and figuratively.

10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «FIGURATIVELY»

Discover the use of figuratively in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to figuratively and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.
1
Figuratively Speaking: Revised Edition
In this updated edition of his brief, engaging book, Robert J. Fogelin examines figures of speech that concern meaning--irony, hyperbole, understatement, similes, metaphors, and others--to show how they work and to explain their attraction.
Robert J. Fogelin, 2011
2
Figuratively Speaking: Rhetoric and Culture from Quintilian ...
Although rhetoric is a term often associated with lies, this book takes a polemical look at rhetoric as a purveyor of truth.
Sarah Spence, 2013
3
Figuratively Speaking: Covers 40 Basic Literary Terms Using ...
"This book is organized into ""Figurative Language,"" ""Poetic Language,"" and ""Literary Techniques."" The book draws on classic literature to illustrate and instruct in the use and understanding of basic literary terms."
Delana Heindrich, 2004
4
Latin Synonyms with Their Different Significations and ...
Figuratively : a d'worce : Ieta quam scribis ab« ruptio. Cic. Speaking of Terentia's divorce. 6? 5. Dissociare.,Disjungere. DissociaRE, (diversim sociaré) to break company, to disíoke felfowship. Dissociare tironein à veterano. Tac. Figuratively!
Jean Baptiste Gardin Dumesnil, 1809
5
The Antic Creedoolies
Figuratively”. “Speaking. Figuratively”. “Speaking. Figuratively”. “Speaking. Figuratively”. “Speaking. Figuratively”. ThomasThomasThomasThomasThomas “ P“P“P“P“Perk” Gallow erk” Gallow erk” Gallow erk” Gallow erk” Gallowayayayayay ...
Jay Bynum, 2002
6
The Royal English dictionary: or, A treasury of the English ...
Figuratively, to ask incessantly, or wish for without being satisfied ; to require as necessary j to call for a claim, applied to things. CRA'VEN, S. a cock that is conquered, and void of courage. " No cock of mine, iron crow too like a craven." Skat.
Daniel Fenning, 1775
7
General Certificate English
Exercise I , page 38 1 (a) figuratively - beat him easily (b) literally 2 (a) literally (b) figuratively - revise or review 3 (a) figuratively - conceited (b) literally 4 (a) figuratively - searched thoroughly (b) literally 5 (a) figuratively - obstacle (h) literally 6 ...
Alan Etherton, 2000
8
The description and explanation of a 'universal character'; ...
A mouth with the tongue marked, signifies tongue, or speech, when placed over the character of verb will express to speak or say ; and the tongue, figuratively, will signify voice or sound. Good sound is music, good speaking is eloquence.
Description, 1835
9
Encyclopaedia Britannica: Or a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences ...
Iliad, iii. 140. The peculiar beauty of this figure arises from suggesting an atttibute that cmbellilhes the subject, or puts it in a stronger light. 6. A complex term employed figuratively to denote one of the component parts. Funus for a dead body.
‎1810
10
A complete and universal English dictionary
Figuratively, a person guilty of gross and ridiculous mistakes either in actions or words. BLU'NDERER, /. one who cannot distinguish one thing from another ; one who is guilty of gross and ridiculous mistakes, either in action or language.
James Barclay (curate of Edmonton.), 1792

10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «FIGURATIVELY»

Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term figuratively is used in the context of the following news items.
1
Westlake burglar in doghouse, literally and figuratively
WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Police say no reports of stolen chewy toys or tampering with canine food and water bowls have been received following ... «WKYC-TV, Jul 15»
2
Best & worst case scenarios: Packers WR Jared Abbrederis
... and on the other hand, what would happen if a player figuratively fell flat on his face (without assuming they suffer a season-ending injury). «247Sports, Jul 15»
3
Clarkson Shines as L.A. Drops Summer Opener
The Lakers trotted out a crop of young stars in their Summer League opener, but one rose — figuratively and literally — above the rest: Jordan ... «Lakers.com, Jul 15»
4
Sanibel's Ruane raises $96600 in June for commission race
... effects on Clawson's district will be marginal," said Florida Gulf Coast University professor Peter Bergerson, speaking literally and figuratively. «The News-Press, Jul 15»
5
Calvert, Jackets have "something to prove" this fall
They've bulked up in the offseason, literally and figuratively, adding Brandon Saad from the Chicago Blackhawks in a shocking blockbuster ... «BlueJackets.com, Jul 15»
6
Edwards drops 20 pounds for Lady Raiders
If fact, she's made it a point — literally and figuratively — to leave all of last year, her body included, in the past. Edwards has dropped 20 ... «The Daily News Journal, Jul 15»
7
HBO's '7 Days in Hell' finds a hilarious match in Samberg, Harington
But after a bizarre twist ends his career, Aaron hits all manner of bottoms (figuratively and, alas, literally). Only when Poole, a cringing prodigy ... «Los Angeles Times, Jul 15»
8
The Innovative Spirit of Bay Delta Wine
"It literally and figuratively straddles two worlds with the coast and the valley," said Paul Verdegaal, UC Cooperative Extension's Farm Advisor ... «KCET, Jul 15»
9
Comic-Con 2015: Everything you need to know before the Archer …
Where we left off: At the end of last season's two-part finale, Archer and his fellow spies literally (not figuratively!) blew the mind of the world's ... «Entertainment Weekly, Jul 15»
10
The Official Chart Show with Greg James, Radio 1, review: 'The …
... Top 40 to an ancient vase (the implication being that he would try not to figuratively smash it with a metaphorical stray elbow – or something). «Telegraph.co.uk, Jul 15»

REFERENCE
« EDUCALINGO. Figuratively [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/figuratively>. Apr 2024 ».
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