Meaning Figurative Language & Its Examples

MEANING FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE – Are you looking for the definition of figurative language and its examples to understand it well?

One of the most popular topics in learning the English language is figurative language. To know it fast and well, it is important to know its meaning, its types, and examples under it which we will discuss in this article.

Figurative Language – What Is Figurative Language and Its Examples

Learn something about figurative language here!

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE – Here are the common types of figurative language with examples and further understanding of what this means.

Grammarly defines figurative language like this: “a way of expressing oneself that does not use a word’s strict or realistic meaning. Common in comparisons and exaggerations, it’s usually used to add creative flourish to written or spoken language or explain a complicated idea.”

Simply speaking, this language uses simple and common words but combines them together in a different way to refer to something indirectly speaking about it. Using this type of language can make you convey a complicated meaning and clarity. This also gives color to one’s writing. It promotes creative wording. It creates a tone that provokes thinking and sometimes, carries humor.

Here are some types of figurative language with some examples:

SIMILE – compares two concepts by using words such as “like” or “as”

Example:
I felt so dizzy like my whole being was entirely being shaken.
He smiled like a devil.

METAPHOR – this is the same as the simile but without the words “like” or “as”

Example:
A warrior that has a heart of stone.
She gave me a Cheshire cat grin.

HYPERBOLE – exaggeration of things to express humor or stress a point

Example:
I cried a river when he left me.
I received tons of money from my previous job.

PERSONIFICATION – the way of projecting human qualities to non-living objects

Example:
The months of January, February, and March always pass by slowly.
The wailing of my alarm clock every morning annoys me.

SYNECDOCHE – using a word to represent a whole

Example:
The captain commanded hundred of sails.
(sails is referring to ships)
He asked for my hand.
(asked for my hand refers to asking a woman to marry)

ONOMATOPOEIA – describing the sound of something or an inanimate object

Example:
The whispers of the wind.
The plates are squeaky clean.