Figurative vs. Literal: Know the Difference
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.
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Implies more than what words express
Sticks to the exact meaning of words
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Feb 19, 2024
Use in Writing
Common in poetry and literature
Predominant in technical and factual writing
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Feb 19, 2024
Purpose
To add depth, emotion, and imagery
To convey facts and information clearly
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Feb 19, 2024
Example
"Heart of stone" (implying unemotional)
"The heart is a muscle" (describing factually)
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Feb 19, 2024
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
What does figurative language mean?
Figurative language uses creative expressions that imply meanings beyond the literal.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Why is figurative language used in poetry?
It adds depth, emotion, and vivid imagery to poetry.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
What is literal language?
Literal language sticks to the exact, straightforward meanings of words.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Does literal language involve metaphors or similes?
No, it does not use metaphors or similes.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Can figurative language be used in everyday conversation?
Yes, it's often used in idioms and expressions.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
What makes figurative language effective in storytelling?
Its ability to evoke vivid images and emotional responses.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Are idioms considered figurative language?
Yes, idioms are a common form of figurative language.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Can figurative language be factual?
It can represent truths but not in a factual, direct way.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
How can one identify literal language?
By its straightforward, clear, and unembellished use of words.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Why is figurative language challenging for non-native speakers?
It often involves cultural references and non-literal meanings.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Is understanding figurative language important?
Yes, for appreciating literature, poetry, and nuanced conversation.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Is it important to distinguish between figurative and literal language?
Yes, for accurate communication and understanding in various contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 19, 2024
Does literal language allow for multiple interpretations?
Usually, no, it aims for a singular, clear meaning.
Shumaila Saeed
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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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila 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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