Meaning of the word figurative in English

What does figurative mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

figurative

US /ˈfɪɡ.jɚ.ə.tɪv/
UK /ˈfɪɡ.jɚ.ə.tɪv/

Adjective

1.

(of words and phrases) used not with their basic meaning but with a more imaginative meaning, in order to create a special effect:

Example:
Of course, she was using the term "massacre" in the figurative sense.
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