figuratively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "figuratively" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing something that is not meant to be taken literally, often to convey a metaphorical meaning. An example is: "He was so tired that he felt like he could sleep for a thousand years, figuratively speaking." Alternative expressions include "metaphorically" and "symbolically."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Figure (2) literally and figuratively captures the term: Figure 2. Especially in set theory, category theory, algebra, and topology, there are various kinds of "-morphisms," viz., of mapping relations between two structures or models.

SEP

(88) We're now in a position to draw a distinction between literal comparisons and figurative comparisons, similes, that accords with the idea that to speak figuratively is to speak so as to stand corrected.

SEP

This year's list, though, makes a definitive statement that such writers are no longer the exotic outsiders that add colour (literally as well as figuratively) to the British norm.

The Guardian - Opinion

Meanwhile, Freedom Watch's Larry Klayman called for "a second American nonviolent revolution", compounding the silliness with a call "that this president leave town, to get up, to put the Qur'an down, to get up off his knees, and to figuratively come out with his hands up".

The Guardian - Opinion

One thing that has emerged in the wake of the Paris killings is the large degree to which westerners do respect the idea that Muhammad should not be represented figuratively.

The Guardian - Opinion

After performances like that they'll find they'll return to a literally and figuratively frosty reception.

The Guardian - Sport

And yet everything is viewed, figuratively speaking, from behind a window pane.

The Guardian - Books

I'm speaking figuratively, of course".

The Guardian - Sport

And Mr Ruggiero was, at least figuratively, the incarnation of Brussels.

The Economist

In a poll by YouGov/Polimetrix for The Economist (full results here), Republicans rated him the most honest candidate and Americans rated him the most moral of either party (see chart: Hillary Clinton was rated the least honest, and, after Mr Giuliani, the least moral).Mr Huckabee's weakness is the worry that he may be a lightweight figuratively as well as literally.

The Economist

After fleeing a city that was literally under water, Ms Whites is now stuck in a home that is figuratively so.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the word with its opposite, literally, to contrast two different aspects of a situation, such as: "He was a heavyweight both literally and figuratively."

Common error

Avoid using the word literally when you actually mean "figuratively". While some dictionaries now recognize the 'emphatic' use of literally, in professional and academic writing, using it to describe something that is impossible (e.g., "I literally died laughing") is considered a significant error. Use "figuratively" or a modifier like "virtually" instead.

How to use

Learn how to use "figuratively" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The adverb "figuratively" functions as a modifier that signals a shift from literal to non-literal meaning. As seen in Ludwig AI examples, it is frequently used as a meta-linguistic marker to clarify the speaker's intent. It often modifies an entire clause or is used in the construction "literally and figuratively" to emphasize that a statement holds true in both a physical and a metaphorical sense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "figuratively" serves as an essential linguistic tool for distinguishing metaphorical expression from literal fact. Ludwig AI data reveals that the phrase is most frequently employed in high-quality journalism and academic discourse to clarify complex analogies. It is most powerful when used to contrast literal realities with symbolic meanings, as in the common phrase "literally and figuratively". Writers should use it to ensure their metaphors are understood as stylistic choices rather than factual claims, thereby maintaining clarity and authority in their prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

metaphorically

refers specifically to the use of metaphors rather than the broader category of figurative language

non-literally

is a direct negation of literalness and is slightly more clinical in tone

symbolically

implies that something represents an idea or quality beyond its direct meaning

not in the strict sense

is a phrasal alternative that emphasizes a departure from technical definitions

allegorically

suggests a deeper, often moral or political, narrative meaning

in a manner of speaking

is an idiomatic way to soften a statement that is not entirely accurate literally

rhetorically

focuses on the style or effect of the language rather than its literal truth

idiomatically

pertains to expressions that are natural to native speakers but not literal

poetically

implies a more aesthetic or emotional non-literal usage

imaginatively

focuses on the creative aspect of the non-literal description

FAQs

What is the difference between literally and figuratively?

Literally means that something happened exactly as described, whereas "figuratively" means the language is metaphorical or symbolic. For example, if you are "in deep water" "figuratively", you are in trouble; if you are there literally, you are actually submerged in liquid.

What can I say instead of "figuratively"?

Depending on your specific meaning, you can use synonyms like "metaphorically", "symbolically", or the phrase "in a manner of speaking".

How do I use "figuratively speaking" in a sentence?

This phrase is often used as a parenthetical or introductory element to clarify a metaphor. For example: "She is, "figuratively" speaking, the glue that holds this company together."

Is it correct to say "figuratively" in formal writing?

Yes, it is perfectly correct and often necessary in formal contexts to ensure clarity. It is frequently seen in academic works like the "Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy" and high-quality journalism like "The Economist".