figuratively

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Etymology

From figurative + -ly.

Adverb

figuratively

1. (manner) In a figurative manner.

   Synonyms: nonliterally, literally

   • 1897 Easton's Bible Dictionary available on Wikisource

     Shepherd A word naturally of frequent occurrence in Scripture. […] This word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God to his people.

2. (as a sentence adverb) Used to indicate that what follows is to be taken as a figure of speech, not literally.

   Figuratively, the cat was out of the bag.

Antonyms

• literally

Translations

• French: figurément
• German: bildlich, figürlich
• Portuguese: figurativamente
• Russian: метафори́чески
• Spanish: figuradamente, en sentido figurado, figurativamente

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