figurative

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fig·ur·a·tive / ˈfigyərətiv/ • adj. 1. departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical: gold, in figurative language, was “the tears wept by the sun.”2. (of an artist or work of art) representing forms that are recognizably derived from life.DERIVATIVES: fig·ur·a·tive·ly adv.fig·ur·a·tive·ness n.