What is Figurative Language?

Figurative language is one of the ways of expressing ourselves that does not restrict to a word’s real meaning. It is used to give a creative edge to written or spoken language or when we have to explain a complicated idea. Fiction writers often are seen using figurative language to engage their audience by using a more creative tone which provokes thinking & at times humor. This makes fiction writing interesting & dramatic. Figurative language refers to a way of expressing oneself by not using a word’s realistic meaning. Common in comparisons & exaggerations, it is usually used to add creativity to written or spoken language or to explain a complicated idea. 

What is Figurative Language?

Figurative language refers to the use of words in a way that deviates from the conventional order & meaning in order to convey a complicated meaning or clarity. Ordinary sentences are used to refer to something without directly stating it.

Use of Figurative Language in a Sentence

It is seen that in both literature & daily communication, many sentences contain figurative language which makes meaning by asking the reader or listener to understand something by virtue of its relation to some other thing, an action, or an image. Contrasted with literal language, figurative language can be seen as describing something explicitly rather than by reference to something else.

When we speak in figurative language, we aren’t speaking literally but rather in a way to produce a reaction.

Example: When Sheela talks in a figurative way & says she’s hungry enough to eat a horse, she is simply exaggerating her craving.  

Purpose of Figurative Language

• Figurative language is use of literary devices, techniques, & figures of speech to heighten sensory response & add meaning, clarity, or bring impact to one’s writing.
• Figures of speech color one’s prose, giving a sense of immediacy to readers. It evokes a strong emotional reaction.
• Creates an image in the reader’s mind. It calls on the reader’s senses via sounds, scents, tastes, images, & touch which makes an idea accessible.
• Helps to simplify complex ideas. 

Figurative Language vs Imagery

Most people assume that figurative language & imagery are the same. They are very similar. They are both built on figures of speech. However, they are not the same. Let us have a look at the differences between figurative language & imagery.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE	IMAGERY
1. Figurative language is language which uses words or expressions with meanings that are different from its literal interpretation.	1. Imagery is the use of descriptive language that engages the human senses.
2. May not necessarily appeal to our senses.	2. It always appeals to our senses.
Eg:- Its raining cats & dogs. This means it is raining heavily, not a large group of animals.	Eg:- I covered my nose as the stagnant water in the tank had the smell of rotting eggs.

Literal & Non-literal Language

• Literal Language means the use of words & phrases that reflect their definitions in the dictionary. The words & the meaning are exactly what they say.
• Non-literal language means the use of words & phrases that mean one thing but are used to describe something else.

Let’s see some examples: 

LITERAL LANGUAGE	NON-LITERAL LANGUAGE
1. Rain very hard	1. Having butterflies in the stomach
2. Feeling nervous	2. Hit the hay
3. Sell quickly	3. Spill the beans
4. Tell a secret	4. Rain cats & dogs
5. Go to sleep	5. Sell like hotcakes
6. Leave very fast	6. Shake a leg

5 Common Types of Figurative Language with Examples

  1. SIMILE 

Simile compares two different things, using words “like” or “as” to draw attention to the comparison. 

Examples:- The two teams fought like cats & dogs.

                      She is as brave as a lion.

  2. METAPHOR 

Metaphor compares two different things, like a simile. But they don’t make the use of words ”like” or ”as” .

Examples:- Her heart was broken.

                      She flared up my temper.

 3. PERSONIFICATION

Personification is like giving human characteristics to non-human or abstract things. This could be physical or emotional attributes or human actions. 

Examples:- The leaves were dancing in the wind.

                     The cupcake was calling to me.

  4. HYPERBOLE 

Hyperbole is often like a great exaggeration, which is unrealistic, it adds emphasis to a sentiment. 

Examples:- The weather is killing me.

                     He could eat a whole cow.

  5. ALLUSION 

Allusion means reference to a pre-existing person, work, event, or a well-known piece of pop culture. As they are related to common  knowledge, no explanation is necessary. 

Examples:- That person is so narcissistic.

                      The poor woman is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.

List of Common Figurative Language Examples

SIMILE

• The little girl was as brave as a lion in the jungle.
• The block representative was as busy as a bee when she was preparing for the community meeting.

METAPHOR

• Her husband is drowning in a sea of grief.
• His friend is going through a rollercoaster of emotions. 

PERSONIFICATION

• The car stared at me.
• May is the cruelest month of the year.

HYPERBOLE

• I have told her a million times to wash the dishes.
• She is so slender that the wind can carry her away. 

ALLUSION

• Her daughter had a beauty that rivaled that of Marilyn Monroe.
• My son was a real Romeo with the ladies.
  

Practice Questions on Figurative Language

1. The woman was so hungry she could eat a horse.

Type of figurative language- Hyperbole

What the phrase means- to always eat a lot of food

2. Yasmin heard the last piece of pie calling her name.

Type of figurative language- Personification

What the phrase means- share of something

3. She sleeps like a log.

Type of figurative language- Simile

What the phrase means- sleep very well

4. He has the heart of a lion. 

Type of figurative language– Metaphor

What the phrase means-  Person with a lot of courage & bravery 

5. Trees in the backyard danced in the wind.

Type of figurative language- Personification

What the phrase means- Trees here are given the human characteristics of dancing.

6. She studies all the time & is a regular Einstein.

Type of figurative language- Allusion

What the phrase means- exceptional intellectual ability

7. These days, my husband is as busy as a bee.

Type of figurative language- Simile

What the phrase means- very busy

8. He was a good samaritan when he helped the old lady. 

Type of figurative language– Allusion

What the phrase means- good & helpful

9. He lectured me for an eternity.

Type of figurative language- Hyperbole

What the phrase means-  Period of time that never seems to end

10. My grandparents are fit like a fiddle.

Type of figurative language- Metaphor

What the phrase means- In good physical condition

Frequently Asked Questions on Figurative Language in English Grammar

Que 1. What is figurative language?

Figurative language refers to the use of words in a way that deviates from the conventional order & meaning in order to convey a complicated meaning or clarity. 

Que 2. What is the purpose of figurative language?

• Figurative language is use of literary devices, techniques, & figures of speech to heighten sensory response & add meaning, clarity, or bring impact to one’s writing.
• Figures of speech color one’s prose, giving a sense of immediacy to readers. It evokes a strong emotional reaction.
• Creates an image in the reader’s mind. It calls on the reader’s senses via sounds, scents, tastes, images, & touch which makes an idea accessible.
• Helps to simplify complex ideas.  

Que 3. Why should you use figurative language?

a) Figurative language is the creative way to describe a person, place, object or event. It helps in creating a more descriptive picture in the reader’s mind.

b) It helps writers make a point that normal sentences can’t.

c) It incites emotions in the reader, as per the author’s intentions.

Que 4. Give some examples of similes.

a) Sneha works like a sloth.

b) Neha is as cunning as a fox.

c) My children chatter like monkeys.

d) My parents are as proud as a peacock.

Que 5. How to use figurative language in your own writing?

Figurative language when used effectively, can improve any piece of writing. Below mentioned are four ways to use figurative language in your own writing:

• Spare use of figurative language – Little use of figurative language, goes a long way. 
• Figurative language & humor -Apart from creating more engaging writing & helping to explain complex ideas, figurative language is also great for a laugh. Comedians & comic writers often use it for punchlines & humorous analogies.
• Careful use of figurative language when used as a dialogue – Excessive use of figurative language as a dialogue can ruin the reader’s immersion & make them feel like they’re actually reading a story.
• Focus on clarity– Use figurative language when you want the reader to understand something very clearly.

Que 6. What Is the Function of Figurative Language?

Figurative language is one of the most commonly used literary devices. 

• It is used by the author to let the reader feel connected. 
• Essential part of how people communicate.
• Stirs our imagination
• Captures our attention
• Helps us in understanding when one comes across new ideas
• Writer gets a clear expression of what s/he wants to convey to the readers
• Conveys the author’s message to the reader in an enhanced manner

Que 7. What is the Difference Between Literal and Non-literal Language?

LITERAL LANGUAGE	NON-LITERAL LANGUAGE
Literal Language means the use of words & phrases that reflect their definitions in the dictionary.  The words & the meaning are exactly what they say.	Non-literal language means the use of words & phrases that mean one thing but are used to describe something else.
Example:- 1. Tell a secret- I have been waiting since so long to tell you a secret.	Examples:- 1. Spill the beans– Sheela spilled the beans.
In this sentence, tell a secret means simply meaning letting out a secret, the words & the meaning are exactly what they say.	In this sentence, spilled the beans means letting out a secret & not the literal meaning of beans being spilled over.