FIGURATIVE

figurative, nonliteral

(adjective) (used of the meanings of words or text) not literal; using figures of speech; “figurative language”

figural, figurative

(adjective) consisting of or forming human or animal figures; “a figural design”; “the figurative art of the humanistic tradition”- Herbert Read

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

figurative (comparative more figurative, superlative most figurative)

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

Metaphorically so called.

With many figures of speech.

Emblematic, symbolic; representative, exemplative

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

Usage notes

• Said of language, expression, etc.

Antonyms

• literal

Source: Wiktionary

Fig"ur*a*tive, a. Etym: [L. figurativus: cf. F. figuratif. See Figurative.]

1. 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. Hooker.

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

3. Ambounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid; as, a highly figurative description.

4. Relating to the representation of form or figure by drawing, carving, etc. See Figure, n., 2. They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form. J. A. Symonds. Figurative counterpointdescant. See under Figurate.

– Fig"ur*a*tive*ly, adv.

– Fig"ur*a*tive*ness, n.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition