Figurative Language

This article will explore the meaning of figurative language. We will take a look at the different types of figurative language and some examples of each. We will also consider why figurative language is used, both in everyday conversations and in literary texts.

What is figurative language and what does it mean?

Figurative language is a way of using words that is non-literal. Figurative language expresses meaning through figures of speech (such as simile, metaphor and personification); these appear frequently in both literature and everyday conversation.

What are the different types of figurative language?

Figurative language comes in many forms; each classed as a figure of speech. Figures of speech include:

• Simile
• Metaphor
• Personification
• Idioms
• Metonymy
• Synecdoche
• Hyperboles
• Irony
• oxymoron

For each of these, we will give an example that you may have come across in everyday conversation, as well as an example from Literature. We also have individual articles on each of these figures of speech if you'd like to read up on them in more detail.

Simile

Simile directly compares two things; it uses connecting words such as “like” or “as” when making these comparisons.

This is an example of simile as it compares two things - the person in the race, and lightning. We are not meant to take this comparison literally, as nobody can really move as fast as lightning - this is why it is a figure of speech.

(Robert Burns, "A Red, Red Rose," 1794)

Burns draws a comparison between his love and a rose in bloom to make us think of their similarities - both are fresh, colorful and full of life. His love (which could mean the emotion itself or the person that he loves) is not literally a rose - remember, a simile is an imaginative comparison.

Metaphor

Metaphor refers to something as another thing to make us see the similarities between them.

This is an example of metaphor because one thing (“my brother”) is being referred to as another thing (“a sly fox”). We can assume that the speaker is not literally related to a fox, therefore this statement is figurative.

(Khalil Gibran, “The Poet”, 1913)

Gibran refers to the poet as a pure spring to make his point. This metaphor tells us that the poet is vital, like a source of water, and we assume that those who come to him are“thirsty” for knowledge or inspiration.

Personification

Personification gives human qualities to something that is not human. This can help to create imagery, or symbolism.

This description of fallen leaves blowing around in the wind is an example of personification because of the term “danced”. Leaves cannot literally dance - this line describes them as having the human trait of being able to dance in order to create a clearer image.

(Ted Hughes, "Torridge," 1983)

In this example, Hughes uses personification to give human traits to the river. This helps us to imagine it (or “her”) with a carefree, relaxed attitude, “singing” and “letting her veils blow”.

Idioms

An idiom is a well-established phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning.

If somebody said, "Are you pulling my leg?" you would most likely understand this as, "Are you joking with me?" Like all idioms, this phrase would only make sense if you were aware of its figurative meaning - it would be nonsensical if you took it literally.

(Samuel Butler, Hudibras, 1663)

This does not literally mean that the orator smashed a piece of ice - as you may be aware, to “break the ice” is an idiom, meaning “to break the social awkwardness”.

Metonymy

Metonymy refers to a thing by the name of something closely associated with it.

Most people would understand this as, "What's your favourite meal?" rather than a question about their preferred type of kitchenware. The word “dish” is a metonym for “meal”, as it is something closely associated with it, and it can replace that word in a sentence and still have the same meaning.

(Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Richelieu , 1839)

(Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," 1798)

In this example, the word "wave" refers to a sea or an ocean. This is an example of synecdoche because Coleridge is mentioning a part (the “wave”) to refer to the whole (a sea or ocean).

Hyperboles

Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration to make a point, usually for rhetorical effect.

Here the speaker makes an overstatement to emphasize their point; there's no way they have eaten a literal ton of pasta - what they mean is they've eaten a lot of pasta.

(William Wordsworth, "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," 1807)

To say that the daffodils extended as far as the stars of the Milky Way in “never-ending” line is clearly an exaggeration; Wordsworth uses hyperbole to create imagery and to make a point about how they seemed to stretch on forever.

Irony

There are several different types of irony, but in all of them, there is a stark contrast between expectation and reality (either for the characters, or for the reader). Below are two examples of verbal irony.

This statement is ironic because the speaker is saying the opposite of what they really mean.

(Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice , 1813)

This line is one of the most famous examples of irony in English literature. It makes a statement that is not meant to be taken literally - the contrast between what it says and what we know to be true is what makes it ironic.

Oxymoron

An oxymoron is an expression or phrase that contradicts itself by combining words with opposing meanings.

“News” by definition is “new”. Therefore, “old news” contradicts itself - it is an oxymoron.

(William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet , 1591-1596)

Romeo expresses how mixed-up his emotions are through this string of oxymorons.

Romeo and Juliet.

Why do we use figurative language?

Figurative language helps us to express opinions and feelings in ways that plain English sometimes can't. Here are just a few reasons why we use figurative language:

To create imagery.

Metaphor, simile and personification can help to make writing, or speech, more vivid, by drawing imaginative comparisons. We hear and read countless examples of this every day; for instance, if you described somebody as being "built like a tank" (an example of simile), this would help to paint a clear picture in the listener's mind.

As a shorthand way of communicating.

Metonymy and synecdoche can make sentences tidier and more succinct. For example, "I'm going to make it in Hollywood" is a lot punchier than, "I'm going to make it in the mainstream American movie industry".

To make the language more colourful and engaging.

Even though idioms are well-established and familiar, they help to make everyday language more interesting. Idioms can also be subverted and used in creative ways; poets and novelists do this all the time. For more examples of this, see our article on idioms.

To express an opinion.

Hyperbole, irony and oxymoron are useful rhetorical devices. You can sometimes emphasize your point by stating the opposite of what you mean, or by making an obvious overstatement.

To actively engage the reader or listener.

By using figurative terms, we allow the reader or listener to engage more actively with our words. Figurative language can require a certain degree of decoding, which is why some poetry is not clear at first; but once you have read it a few times and allowed it to sink in, the meaning becomes even more powerful.