What is figurative language?
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What is Figurative Language?
What is the definition of figurative language? Figurative language is a word or phrase that does not have the exact meaning of the words written. When reading figurative language, it is important to think, “what is the meaning of figurative language?”. This is because figurative language has non-literal meaning because it is often too silly or unrealistic to happen in real life.
Now that we know the figurative language definition, the next section will talk about the purpose of figurative language.
Why do Authors use Figurative Language?
So, why do writers use figurative language? It is used for dramatic effect or to exaggerate something to make a point. Why is figurative language important? Figurative language can make text more interesting. How can figurative language improve your writing? It can help keep the reader interested in your text and also give a better visual description of what’s happening in the text.
You may be wondering exactly when is figurative language used. The next section will discuss where can figurative language be used.
Where is Figurative Language Used?
Where do we use figurative language? There is a lot of figurative language in literature, but can figurative language used in spoken language? Yes, in fact figurative language examples are seen everywhere language is used! You may also see figurative language in songs and figurative language in a story!
How can figurative language affect the meaning of a text? All figurative language can change an ordinary sentence or description into extraordinary events, enhance emotion, and also help the reader recognise a literary theme. Figurative language meaning can have a huge impact.
In the next section we will look at what figurative language can do by seeing an example of figurative language.
Figurative Language – Examples
What are Some Examples of Figurative Language? In this example you will see how can figurative language enhance meaning. Let’s take a look:
This figurative language example explains that the character Ari, is as cute as a button. What is the literal or actual meaning of figurative language used here? We know that this is a non-literal statement because buttons are not actually cute, they are just buttons. What does figurative language mean: 'Ari is as cute as a button'? It means that Ari is very cute or adorable!
Let’s look at another example to try and determine what is the meaning of figurative language.
This figurative language example says to not touch the pizza, because it’s lava. What is the literal or actual meaning of figurative language used here? We know that this is a non-literal statement because we know that pizza is not made of molten rock, but we do know that lava is very hot. What does figurative language mean: 'Don’t touch the pizza; it’s lava'? It means that the pizza is very hot!
The table below shows the given examples of figurative language as well as their neutral language counterparts.
| Figurative language | Neutral language |
|---|---|
| to be as cute as a button | something is very cute |
| the food is lava | the food is very hot |
| time flies | time passes very quickly |
Figurative Language – Summary
What's figurative language? Now that we know what is figurative language with examples, the last section summarises. After looking at figurative language meaning and examples, we know that figurative language is a word or phrase that does not have the exact meaning of the words written. All figurative language can change an ordinary sentence or description into extraordinary events, enhance emotion, and also help the reader recognise a literary theme. Figurative language meaning can have a huge impact.
Want to some more figurative language practise? In this video you can find figurative language definition and examples of figurative language. Also, on this website there are worksheets along with other activities and exercises.
Transcript What is figurative language?
Oh, what do we have here? It's a map to send Ari and Zayd on a quest to set Hewie free! In order to complete the quest, they have to find the meaning of the figurative language at each stop. Let's help Ari and Zayd by answering, what is figurative language? Figurative language, also known as a figure of speech, is a word or phrase that does not have the exact meaning of the words written. As the reader, your job is to work out what the expression actually means so you understand what the author is trying to say. It is used for dramatic effect or to exaggerate something to make a point, which can make text more interesting. Figurative language has non-literal meaning because it is often too silly or unrealistic to happen in real life. In the meadow, Ari and Zayd find the phrase ‘Ari is as bright as a button.’ The first step is to ask yourself, do the words mean exactly what they say? No, they do not mean Ari looks like a button, that wouldn't make any sense! We know that this is a non-literal statement because buttons are not actually bright, they are just buttons. The second step is to determine the actual meaning of the phrase. What is the meaning of, 'Ari is as bright as a button'? It means that Ari is very clever! It is an example of a simile. Next, they trudge up the mountain and arrive at the top. Oh look, someone left a snack and a note! It says, ‘Don't touch the pizza; it's lava’. Remember, first ask, ‘do the words mean exactly what they say? No, it would not make any sense if the pizza was actually lava. What is the inferred meaning of, 'Don't touch the pizza, it's lava'? We know that pizza is not made of molten rock, but we do know that lava is very hot. The phrase exaggerated the temperature of the pizza comparing it to lava, so the inferred meaning is, the pizza is very hot. It is an example of a metaphor. Next, they head to the final stop. They see the phrase, ‘Time flies when you're having fun on a quest’. Do these words mean exactly what they say? No, we know that time does not actually fly. What is the inferred meaning? It means that time passes by surprisingly quickly, just like flying makes you move surprisingly quickly. It is an example of an idiom. We did it! We completed the quest! Before we see Zayd and Ari set Hewie free, let's summarise. Remember, figurative language, also known as a figure of speech, is a word or phrase that does not have the exact meaning of the words written. Some examples of figurative language are: similes, metaphors and idioms. As the reader, your job is to determine what the expression actually means, so you understand what the author is trying to say. First, ask, ‘do the words mean exactly what they say?’ Second, explain in your own words the meaning of the phrase. Hooray! Hewie is finally free! Wait, what about the pizza?
What is figurative language? exercise
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What is figurative language?
HintsFigurative language can be used in writing for dramatic effect.
Literal language is when the meaning of a sentence and the meaning of the words used in the sentence are exactly the same.
There are two correct options to select.
SolutionThere are two correct answers:
- Figurative language is also known as a figure of speech.
- Figurative language is when a word or phrase does not have the exact meaning of the words written.
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Identify if the sentences are literal or figurative.
HintsDoes the sentence have the exact same meaning as the words? If so, then it is a literal sentence.
If the meaning of the sentence is something other than the meaning of the words, then it is a figurative sentence.
I am so happy is a literal sentence. I am so happy that I'm over the moon is a figurative sentence.
SolutionThese sentences are literal:
- I am very happy!
- Ari is very cute and adorable.
- The pizza is very hot.
- Time is always the same speed.
These sentences are figurative:
- Time flies when you are having fun!
- The pizza is lava!
- I am over the moon!
- Ari is as cute as a button!
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Why do writers use figurative language?
HintsFigurative language makes texts more exciting, imaginative and fun to read.
Figurative language encourages the reader to use their imagination.
There are three correct options to select.
SolutionWriters use figurative language for a range of reasons. Some of these include:
- for dramatic effect
- to exaggerate a point
- to make texts more interesting
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Is the language literal or figurative?
HintsDoes Huey look like a button? If this is factual, then it is literal. If this is used for dramatic effect, is it figurative.
Figurative language is a word or phrase that does not have the exact meaning of the words written.
SolutionThe sentence Ari is a whirlwind is a figurative sentence. It means Ari is moving very quickly and all over the place.
The sentence You are as cute as a button is a figurative sentence because Huey does not look like a button. The sentence means that Huey looks very cute.
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What does the figurative language mean?
HintsFigurative sentences are more dramatic and exciting than a literal sentence.
Figurative sentences are not literal, as they do not describe actual, real life events but make comparisons or over the top versions of events.
Solution- The literal meaning of Ari is as cute as a button! is that Ari is very cute and adorable.
- The literal meaning of Careful! The pizza is lava! is that the pizza is very hot.
- The literal meaning of I'm over the moon! is that I am very really happy and excited.
- The literal meaning of Time flies when you are having fun! is that time seems to go faster when you are having fun.
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Determine the literal meaning of each sentence.
HintsFind sentences with a similar theme from each column. For example, where are there sentences about movies?
Read the figurative sentence and try to work out what the literal meaning is. Someone described as having a heart of stone means they are not a very kind person.
Solution- A person with a heart of stone means they are not very welcoming.
- A person with a mouth as dry as a bone means that their mouth is extremely dry.
- When something is like watching grass grow, it means it is very slow and boring.
- When I bite off more than I can chew, it means I started something that is too difficult and I won't be able to finish it correctly or on time.
