figuratively

/ˈfɪɡjərətɪvli/ /ˈfɪɡərətɪvli/

Meanings

adverb

(manner) In a figurative manner.

Examples :

""The teacher said the student's idea was figuratively a gold mine, meaning it was very valuable and full of potential, but not actually made of gold." "

language linguistics

adverb

Used to indicate that what follows is to be taken as a figure of speech, not literally.

Examples :

"My brother is figuratively a walking encyclopedia; he knows a lot, but he's not actually made of books. "

language linguistics

Related Words

valuable noun

/ˈvæljuəbl̩/

A personal possession such as jewellery, of relatively great monetary value; — usually used in plural form.

"My grandmother's valuable were passed down through generations. "

figurative adjective

/ˈfɪɡəɹətɪv/

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.

"The teacher used figurative language to explain the complex concept, saying that the student's mind was a blank slate. "

meaning noun

/ˈmiːnɪŋ/

(of words or symbols) The entity, perception, feeling or concept thereby represented or evoked.

"The meaning of the teacher's hand gesture was clear: "Pay attention." "

teacher noun

/ˈtiːt͡ʃə/ /ˈtit͡ʃɚ/

A person who teaches, especially one employed in a school.

"My daughter's teacher is very kind and helpful. "

student noun

/ˈstjuː.dənt/ /ˈstu.dn̩t/

A person who studies or learns about a particular subject.

"He is a student of life."

encyclopedia noun

/ənˌsəɪ.kləˈpi.di.ə/ /ɪnˌsaɪ.kləˈpi(ː).di.ə/

A comprehensive reference work (often spanning several printed volumes) with articles (usually arranged in alphabetical order, or sometimes arranged by category) on a range of subjects, sometimes general, sometimes limited to a particular field.

"My dad used the encyclopedia to look up information about the history of the Roman Empire for my school project. "

brother noun

/ˈbɹɐðɘ(ɹ)/ /ˈbɹʌðə(ɹ)/ /ˈbɹʌðɚ/

Son of the same parents as another person.

"My brother and I both attend the same high school. "

actually adverb

/-ɪ/ /ˈæk.(t)ʃu.ə.li/

(modal) In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.

"Actually, I had nothing to do with that incident."

follows noun

/ˈfɒləʊz/ /ˈfɑloʊz/

(sometimes attributive) In billiards and similar games, a stroke causing a ball to follow another ball after hitting it.

"a follow shot"

literally adverb

/ˈlɪtəɹəli/ /ˈlɪ.ɾɚ.ə.li/

Word for word; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor

"When I saw on the news that there would be no school tomorrow because of the snowstorm, I literally jumped for joy, and hit my head on the ceiling fan."

potential noun

/pəˈtɛnʃəl/ /po(ʊ)ˈtɛnʃəl/

Currently unrealized ability (with the most common adposition being to)

"Even from a young age it was clear that she had the potential to become a great musician."

indicate verb

/ˈɪndɪkeɪt/

To point out; to discover; to direct to a knowledge of; to show; to make known.

"The guard blew his whistle to indicate imminent departure."