What Is Figurative Language? Meaning And Types

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE – In this topic we will now know the meaning and some of the types and examples of figurative language.

Meaning

According to YourDictionary, this refers to the way we use to add spice to our writing. It is composed of a regular statement or sentence, then spices it up.

Basically, it is utilizing figures of speech as a means of gaining the attention of users by indirectly describing a certain topic with something else.

By far there are 18 types of figures of speech bu we will focus on the main 5 figures.

Here are the following types:

Metaphor
- Refers to describing a statement with a certain object that almost made it sound like it doesn’t make sense. It can only be sensible if the connection between two unrelated things are understood by the reader.
- Examples:
  - Time is gold
  - These couples are night and day.
  - My brother is the sun
Simile
- It is similar to metaphor, only it uses the words “as” and “like”
- Examples:
  - Bright as day
  - Your thoughts are as clear as a crystal
  - Looking for you is like a needle in a haystack.
Personification
- Refers to adding human action or characteristics to non-human organisms.
- Examples:
  - The trees are dancing in the rain.
  - The rain gently weeps with me.
  - The sun welcomes me with a hard slap in the back
Hyperbole
- It is an outrageous and ridiculous exaggeration which emphasizes a certain point.
- Examples:
  - I have walked a thousand miles just to reach the center.
  - I will wait even a hundred years to be with you.
  - Man, you eat louder than an elephant.
Symbolism
- refers to a thing with a meaning of its own which is used to represent another entirely different thing.
- Example:
  - Owl = wisdom
  - Swan = graceful movement
  - Red rose = love or romance
  - Broken mirror = separation