Figurative Language

By: Abuzar ali 9-p

What is figurative language ?

Figurative language is language in which figures of speech (such as metaphors and

metonyms) freely occur. Contrast with literal speech or language.
"If something happens literally it actually happens; if something happens
figuratively, it feels like it is happening. If you are literally jumping for joy, for
instance, it means you are leaping in the air because you are very happy. If you are
figuratively jumping for joy, it means you are so happy that you could jump for joy
but are saving your energy for other matters”.
Figurative language can also be defined as any deliberate departure from the
conventional meaning, order, or construction of words.
Types of Figurative language.

 Simile
 Metaphor
 Personification
 Onomatopoeia
 Oxymoron
 Hyperbole
 Imagery
 Symbolism
 Alliteration
Simile

 A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two

different things. Unlike a metaphor, a simile draws resemblance with the help of the words
“like” or “as.” Therefore, it is a direct comparison.

 Examples:
 Our soldiers are as brave as lions.
 Her cheeks are red like a rose.
Metaphor

 A Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes an implicit, implied, or

hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated, but which share some common
characteristics. In other words, a resemblance of two contradictory or different objects is
made based on a single or some common characteristics.

 Examples:
 My brother was boiling mad. (This implies he was too angry.)
 The assignment was a breeze. (This implies that the assignment was not difficult.)
Personification

 Personification is a figure of speech in which a thing – an idea or an animal – is given

human attributes.

 Examples:
 Look at my car. She is a beauty, isn’t she?
 The wind whispered through dry grass.
Onomatopoeia

 Onomatopoeia, is defined as a word which imitates the natural sounds of a thing. It creates
a sound effect that mimics the thing described, making the description more expressive and
interesting.

 Examples:
 The buzzing bee flew away.
 The sack fell into the river with a splash.
Oxymoron

 Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect.
The common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective proceeded by a noun with
contrasting meanings, such as “cruel kindness,” or “living death”.
 Examples:
 Open secret
 Tragic comedy
Hyperbole

 Hyperbole, derived from a Greek word meaning “over-casting,” is a figure of speech that

involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis.

 Examples:
 My grandmother is as old as the hills.
 Your suitcase weighs a ton!
Imagery

 Imagery means to use figurative language to represent objects, actions, and ideas in such a
way that it appeals to our physical senses.

 Examples:
 The fragrance of spring flowers made her joyful.
 The sound of a drum in the distance attracted him.
Symbolism

 Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, by giving them symbolic
meanings that are different from their literal sense.

 Examples:
 The dove is a symbol of peace.
 Black is a symbol that represents evil or death.
Alliteration

 Alliteration is derived from Latin’s “Latira”. It means “letters of alphabet”. It is a stylistic

device in which a number of words, having the same first consonant sound, occur close
together in a series.

 Examples:
 Dunkin’ Donuts
 PayPal
Thanks for your time