of the nature of or involving a figure of speech, esp. a metaphor; metaphorical; not literal

a figurative expression.

metaphorically so called

His remark was a figurative boomerang.

abounding in or fond of figures of speech

Elizabethan poetry is highly figurative.

representing by means of a figure or likeness, as in drawing or sculpture.

representing by a figure or emblem; emblematic.

adjective

literal , real , straightforward

adjective

allegorical , denotative , descriptive , emblematic , emblematical , fanciful , florid , flowery , illustrative , metaphoric , metaphorical , ornate , pictorial , poetical , representative , signifying , typical , anagogical , parabolic , symbolic , synecdochical , tropical , tropological