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Figurative vs. Literal: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 19, 2024
Figurative language involves creative, symbolic expressions implying meanings beyond the literal, while literal language describes facts or reality without embellishment.
Figurative vs. Literal

Key Differences

Figurative language enhances writing by using metaphors, similes, and personification, creating vivid imagery beyond the literal meaning. Literal language, on the other hand, sticks strictly to facts and the real meanings of words without any embellishment.
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Feb 19, 2024
In figurative speech, words are used in a non-literal, often imaginative way, to convey complex ideas and emotions effectively. Literal speech communicates in a straightforward manner, ensuring clarity and precision without any hidden meanings.
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Figurative expressions are common in poetry and literature, where creative use of language brings depth and nuance. Literal expressions are predominant in technical and scientific writing, where accurate and unambiguous communication is key.
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Figurative language often requires interpretation and context to understand the implied meanings, adding layers of understanding. Literal language is direct and clear, leaving little room for misinterpretation or deeper analysis.
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The use of figurative language can make conversations and texts more engaging and thought-provoking. Literal language, while less artistic, is essential for clear, straightforward communication in daily life.
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Comparison Chart

Meaning

Implies more than what words express
Sticks to the exact meaning of words
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Use in Writing

Common in poetry and literature
Predominant in technical and factual writing
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Interpretation

Requires context and insight
Direct and straightforward
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Purpose

To add depth, emotion, and imagery
To convey facts and information clearly
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Example

"Heart of stone" (implying unemotional)
"The heart is a muscle" (describing factually)
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Figurative and Literal Definitions

Figurative

Figurative language includes idioms that don't make sense literally but have a known meaning.
Spill the beans figuratively means to reveal a secret.
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Jan 23, 2024

Literal

Literal interpretation involves taking words in their most basic sense.
He's running late literally means he is not on time.
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Jan 23, 2024

Figurative

Figurative speech often employs metaphors to convey complex ideas.
Time is a thief is a figurative way of expressing how quickly time passes.
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Jan 23, 2024

Literal

In literal language, words are used according to their defined meanings.
The sun rises in the east is a literal fact.
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Jan 23, 2024

Figurative

Figurative language uses words or expressions with a meaning different from the literal interpretation.
Saying It's raining cats and dogs figuratively describes heavy rain.
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Literal

Literal language means exactly what it says without any exaggeration or metaphor.
Saying The cat is on the mat literally describes the cat's location.
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Jan 23, 2024

Figurative

Figurative expressions are key in poetry to evoke emotions and imagery.
The world's a stage is a figurative expression from Shakespeare.
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Jan 23, 2024

Literal

Literal speech is crucial for clarity and accuracy in factual communication.
Water boils at 100°C is a literal scientific fact.
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Jan 23, 2024

Figurative

Based on or making use of figures of speech; metaphorical
Figurative language.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Literal descriptions provide clear, direct information without hidden meanings.
The book is on the table is a straightforward, literal statement.
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Jan 23, 2024

Figurative

Containing many figures of speech; ornate.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Conforming or limited to the simplest, nonfigurative, or most obvious meaning of a word or words.
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Jan 22, 2024

Figurative

Represented by a figure or resemblance; symbolic or emblematic.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Word for word; verbatim
A literal translation.
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Jan 22, 2024

Figurative

Of or relating to artistic representation by means of animal or human figures.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Avoiding exaggeration, metaphor, or embellishment; factual; prosaic
A literal description.
A literal mind.
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Jan 22, 2024

Figurative

Of use as a metaphor, simile, metonym or other figure of speech, as opposed to literal; using figures; as when saying that someone who eats more than they should is a pig or like a pig.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Consisting of, using, or expressed by letters
Literal notation.
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Jan 22, 2024

Figurative

Metaphorically so called.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

A letter or symbol that stands for itself as opposed to a feature, function, or entity associated with it in a programming language
$ can be a symbol that refers to the end of a line, but as a literal, it is a dollar sign.
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Jan 22, 2024

Figurative

With many figures of speech.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Exactly as stated; read or understood without additional interpretation; according to the letter or verbal expression; real; not figurative or metaphorical, and etymonic rather than idiomatic.
The literal translation is "hands full of bananas" but it means "empty-handed".
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Jan 22, 2024

Figurative

Emblematic, symbolic; representative, exemplative
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Following the letter or exact words; not free; not taking liberties
A literal reading of the law would prohibit it, but that is clearly not the intent.
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Jan 22, 2024

Figurative

(art) representing forms recognisable in life and clearly derived from real object sources, in contrast to abstract art.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

(theology) (broadly) That which generally assumes that the plainest reading of a given scripture is correct but which allows for metaphor where context indicates it; (specifically) following the historical-grammatical method of biblical interpretation
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Jan 22, 2024

Figurative

Representing by a figure, or by resemblance; typical; representative.
This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the true glory of a more divine sanctity.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

(uncommon) Consisting of, or expressed by, letters (of an alphabet)
A literal equation
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Jan 22, 2024

Figurative

Used in a sense that is tropical, as a metaphor; not literal; - applied to words and expressions.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

(of a person) Unimaginative; matter-of-fact
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Jan 22, 2024

Figurative

Abounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid; as, a highly figurative description.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

(proscribed) Used non-literally as an intensifier; see literally for usage notes.
Telemarketers are the literal worst.
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Jan 22, 2024

Figurative

(used of the meanings of words or text) not literal; using figures of speech;
Figurative language
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

A misprint (or occasionally a scribal error) that affects a letter.
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Jan 22, 2024

Figurative

Consisting of or forming human or animal figures;
A figural design
The figurative art of the humanistic tradition
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

(programming) A value, as opposed to an identifier, written into the source code of a computer program.
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Jan 22, 2024

Figurative

In figurative usage, words symbolize ideas or qualities beyond their literal meaning.
Describing someone as having a heart of gold figuratively speaks of their kindness.
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Jan 23, 2024

Literal

(logic) A propositional variable or the negation of a propositional variable. Wp
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

According to the letter or verbal expression; real; not figurative or metaphorical; as, the literal meaning of a phrase.
It hath but one simple literal sense whose light the owls can not abide.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Following the letter or exact words; not free.
A middle course between the rigor of literal translations and the liberty of paraphrasts.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Consisting of, or expressed by, letters.
The literal notation of numbers was known to Europeans before the ciphers.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Giving a strict or literal construction; unimaginative; matter-of-fact; - applied to persons.
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Literal meaning.
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Literal

A mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something;
Her actual motive
A literal solitude like a desert
A genuine dilemma
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Without interpretation or embellishment;
A literal translation of the scene before him
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text;
A literal translation
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Lacking stylistic embellishment;
A literal description
Wrote good but plain prose
A plain unadorned account of the coronation
A forthright unembellished style
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

Of the clearest kind; usually used for emphasis;
It's the literal truth
A matter of investment, pure and simple
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Jan 22, 2024

Literal

(of a translation) corresponding word for word with the original;
Literal translation of the article
An awkward word-for-word translation
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Jan 22, 2024

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Is literal language easier to understand?

Generally, yes, because it conveys clear and direct information.
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Feb 19, 2024

What does figurative language mean?

Figurative language uses creative expressions that imply meanings beyond the literal.
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Feb 19, 2024

Why is figurative language used in poetry?

It adds depth, emotion, and vivid imagery to poetry.
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Feb 19, 2024

What is literal language?

Literal language sticks to the exact, straightforward meanings of words.
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Feb 19, 2024

Does literal language involve metaphors or similes?

No, it does not use metaphors or similes.
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Feb 19, 2024

How does context affect figurative language?

Context helps reveal the implied meanings in figurative language.
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Feb 19, 2024

Can figurative language be misunderstood?

Yes, without context, figurative language can be misinterpreted.
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Feb 19, 2024

Is literal speech devoid of creativity?

Not necessarily, but it prioritizes clarity over creativity.
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Feb 19, 2024

Where is literal language most appropriate?

In factual, technical, and scientific communication.
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Feb 19, 2024

Can figurative language be used in everyday conversation?

Yes, it's often used in idioms and expressions.
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Feb 19, 2024

What makes figurative language effective in storytelling?

Its ability to evoke vivid images and emotional responses.
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Feb 19, 2024

Are idioms considered figurative language?

Yes, idioms are a common form of figurative language.
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Feb 19, 2024

Can figurative language be factual?

It can represent truths but not in a factual, direct way.
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Feb 19, 2024

How can one identify literal language?

By its straightforward, clear, and unembellished use of words.
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Feb 19, 2024

Why is figurative language challenging for non-native speakers?

It often involves cultural references and non-literal meanings.
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Feb 19, 2024

Is understanding figurative language important?

Yes, for appreciating literature, poetry, and nuanced conversation.
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Feb 19, 2024

Is it important to distinguish between figurative and literal language?

Yes, for accurate communication and understanding in various contexts.
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Feb 19, 2024

Does literal language allow for multiple interpretations?

Usually, no, it aims for a singular, clear meaning.
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Feb 19, 2024

Can literal language be ambiguous?

It tends to be less ambiguous due to its directness.
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Feb 19, 2024

Does literal language change over time?

Its meanings can evolve, but it remains more stable than figurative language.
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Feb 19, 2024

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Shumaila Saeed
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Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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