figurative
/ˈfɪɡəɹətɪv/
Group 26Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical GRE
Example in Context
The poet's figurative language transformed the mundane act of crossing a bridge into a meditation on the passage between life and death.
Synonyms
symbolicmetaphoricalnon-literal
Etymology
Shaping words into meanings beyond the literal.
- figurare (Latin) — to form or shape
Memory Aid
🍐Sounds like “fig your tiv”
Imagine a FIG dressed in a TUXEDO speaking in metaphors — it's FIGURATIVELY fancy!
Visual Association
🎭A theater stage where words dance and transform into colorful metaphors.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “figurative” mean on the GRE?
figurative (adjective) means “Departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical”. The poet's figurative language transformed the mundane act of crossing a bridge into a meditation on the passage between life and death.
How to remember “figurative” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “figurative” sounds like “fig your tiv”. Imagine a FIG dressed in a TUXEDO speaking in metaphors — it's FIGURATIVELY fancy!
What are synonyms for “figurative”?
Common synonyms: symbolic, metaphorical, non-literal.