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Figurative Language – Definition and Examples

3-minute read

• 13th April 2023

In this article, you’ll learn about figurative language: what it is, how to use it, and lots of examples to inspire your everyday speech and descriptive writing .

What is Figurative Language?

Figurative language is language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation. It is often used to create imagery, evoke emotion, or emphasize a point in a way that literal language cannot. Think of it as painting a picture with words in the minds of your audience – for example, “She was as light as a feather while dancing.”

5 Types of Figurative Language

Below, we’ll look at five types of figurative language – metaphor, idiom, simile, hyperbole, and personification – that you can use in an essay, poem , speech, or conversation.

A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two things by stating that one thing is another, without using “like” or “as.” Metaphors are used to create imagery, evoke emotions, and help readers or listeners to understand an idea or concept in a new and interesting way.

Here are some examples of metaphors:

An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. Idioms are often used in informal or conversational language to add color or humor.

Here are some examples of idioms:

If you want to include idioms in your everyday speech or writing, make sure you fully understand the figurative meaning before using them. If used incorrectly, they can cause confusion for your audience.

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using “like” or “as.” They are a great writing technique to create vivid imagery and a memorable comparison.

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Here are some examples of similes:

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves exaggeration for emphasis or effect. It is mostly used to emphasize a point in a funny or memorable way. Hyperbole is great to use in everyday language or writing, but it’s important to use it in moderation – otherwise, it can come across as insincere or unbelievable.

Here are some examples of hyperbole:

Personification

Personification is a figure of speech in which an inanimate object or animal is given human-like qualities or characteristics. This technique is mostly used in poetry or descriptive writing to create vivid imagery.

Here are some examples of personification:

Figurative language is a great addition to your everyday speech and is frequently used in literature and poetry. It can add depth and richness to language, making it more interesting and expressive. However, it can also be confusing if the reader or listener does not understand the intended meaning of the figurative language. Therefore, it is important to have a basic understanding of figurative language in order to fully appreciate and understand written and spoken communication.

Interested in learning more about how use descriptive language and vivid imagery? Check out our Writing Tips blog to learn more.

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Figurative Language

Figurative Language Definition

What is figurative language? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

Figurative language is language that contains or uses figures of speech . When people use the term "figurative language," however, they often do so in a slightly narrower way. In this narrower definition, figurative language refers to language that uses words in ways that deviate from their literal interpretation to achieve a more complex or powerful effect. This view of figurative language focuses on the use of figures of speech that play with the meaning of words, such as metaphor , simile , personification , and hyperbole .

Some additional key details about figurative language:

• Figurative language is common in all sorts of writing, as well as in spoken language.
• Figurative language refers to language that contains figures of speech, while figures of speech are the particular techniques. If figurative speech is like a dance routine, figures of speech are like the various moves that make up the routine.
• It's a common misconception that imagery, or vivid descriptive language, is a kind of figurative language. In fact, writers can use figurative language as one tool to help create imagery, but imagery does not have to use figurative language.

Figurative Language Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce figurative language: fig -yer-uh-tiv lang -gwij

Figures of Speech and Figurative Language

To fully understand figurative language, it's helpful to have a basic understanding of figures of speech. More specifically, it's helpful to understand the two main types of figures of speech: tropes and schemes .

• Tropes are figures of speech that play with and shift the expected and literal meaning of words.
• Schemes are figures of speech that involve a change from the typical mechanics of a sentence, such as the order, pattern, or arrangement of words.

Put even more simply: tropes play with the meaning of words, while schemes play with the structure of words, phrases, and sentences.

The Different Things People Mean When They Say Figurative Language

When people say figurative language, they don't always mean the precise same thing. Here are the three different ways people usually talk about figurative language:

• Dictionary definition of figurative language: According to the dictionary, figurative language is simply any language that contains or uses figures of speech. This definition would mean that figurative language includes the use of both tropes and schemes.
• Much more common real world use of figurative language: However, when people (including teachers) refer to figurative language, they usually mean language that plays with the literal meaning of words. This definition sees figurative language as language that primarily involves the use of tropes.
• Another common real world use of figurative language: Some people define figurative language as including figures of speech that play with meaning as well as a few other common schemes that affect the rhythm and sound of text, such as alliteration and assonance .

What does all that boil down to for you? If you hear someone talking about figurative language, you can usually safely assume they are referring to language that uses figures of speech to play with the meaning of words and, perhaps, with the way that language sounds or feels.

Common Types of Figurative Language

There are many, many types of figures of speech that can be involved in figurative language. Some of the most common are:

• Metaphor : A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unrelated things by stating that one thing is another thing, even though this isn't literally true. For example, the phrase "her lips are a blooming rose" obviously doesn't literally mean what it says—it's a metaphor that makes a comparison between the red beauty and promise of a blooming rose with that of the lips of the woman being described.
• Simile : A simile, like a metaphor, makes a comparison between two unrelated things. However, instead of stating that one thing is another thing (as in metaphor), a simile states that one thing is like another thing. An example of a simile would be to say "they fought like cats and dogs."
• Oxymoron : An oxymoron pairs contradictory words in order to express new or complex meanings. In the phrase "parting is such sweet sorrow" from Romeo and Juliet , "sweet sorrow" is an oxymoron that captures the complex and simultaneous feelings of pain and pleasure associated with passionate love.
• Hyperbole : Hyperbole is an intentional exaggeration of the truth, used to emphasize the importance of something or to create a comic effect. An example of a hyperbole is to say that a backpack "weighs a ton." No backpack literally weighs a ton, but to say "my backpack weighs ten pounds" doesn't effectively communicate how burdensome a heavy backpack feels.
• Personification : In personification, non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down on the wedding guests, indifferent to their plans." Describing the rain as "indifferent" is an example of personification, because rain can't be "indifferent," nor can it feel any other human emotion.
• Idiom : An idiom is a phrase that, through general usage within a particular group or society, has gained a meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. The phrase "it's raining cats and dogs" is known to most Americans to mean that it's raining hard, but an English-speaking foreigner in the United States might find the phrase totally confusing.
• Onomatopoeia : Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in which words evoke the actual sound of the thing they refer to or describe. The “boom” of a firework exploding, the “tick tock” of a clock, and the “ding dong” of a doorbell are all examples of onomatopoeia.
• Synecdoche : In synecdoche, a part of something is used to refer to its whole . For example, "The captain commands one hundred sails" is a synecdoche that uses "sails" to refer to ships—ships being the thing of which a sail is a part.
• Metonymy : Metonymy is a figure of speech in which an object or concept is referred to not by its own name, but instead by the name of something closely associated with it. For example, in "Wall Street prefers lower taxes," the New York City street that was the original home of the New York Stock Exchange stands in for (or is a "metonym" for) the entire American financial industry.
• Alliteration : In alliteration, the same sound repeats in a group of words, such as the “ b ” sound in: “ B ob b rought the b ox of b ricks to the b asement.” Alliteration uses repetition to create a musical effect that helps phrases to stand out from the language around them.
• Assonance : The repetition of vowel sounds repeat in nearby words, such as the " ee " sound: "the squ ea ky wh ee l gets the gr ea se." Like alliteration, assonance uses repeated sounds to create a musical effect in which words echo one another.

Figurative Language vs. Imagery

Many people (and websites) argue that imagery is a type of figurative language. That is actually incorrect. Imagery refers to a writers use of vivid and descriptive language to appeal to the reader's senses and more deeply evoke places, things, emotions, and more. The following sentence uses imagery to give the reader a sense of how what is being described looks, feels, smells, and sounds:

The night was dark and humid, the scent of rotting vegetation hung in the air, and only the sound of mosquitoes broke the quiet of the swamp.

This sentence uses no figurative language. Every word means exactly what it says, and the sentence is still an example of the use of imagery. That said, imagery can use figurative language, often to powerful effect:

The night was dark and humid, heavy with a scent of rotting vegetation like a great-aunt's heavy and inescapable perfume, and only the whining buzz of mosquitoes broke the silence of the swamp.

In this sentence, the description has been made more powerful through the use of a simile ("like a great-aunt's..."), onomatopoeia ("whining buzz," which not only describes but actually sounds like the noise made by mosquitoes), and even a bit of alliteration in the " s ilence of the s wamp."

To sum up: imagery is not a form of figurative language. But a writer can enhance his or her effort to write imagery through the use of figurative language.

Figurative Language Examples

Figurative language is more interesting, lively, beautiful, and memorable than language that's purely literal. Figurative language is found in all sorts of writing, from poetry to prose to speeches to song lyrics, and is also a common part of spoken speech. The examples below show a variety of different types of figures of speech. You can see many more examples of each type at their own specific LitChart entries.

Figurative Language Example: Metaphor

Metaphor in shakespeare's romeo and juliet.

In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet , Romeo uses the following metaphor in Act 2 Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet , after sneaking into Juliet's garden and catching a glimpse of her on her balcony:

But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

Romeo compares Juliet to the sun not only to describe how radiantly beautiful she is, but also to convey the full extent of her power over him. He's so taken with Juliet that her appearances and disappearances affect him like those of the sun. His life "revolves" around Juliet like the earth orbits the sun.

Figurative Language Example: Simile

In this example of a simile from Slaughterhouse-Five , Billy Pilgrim emerges from an underground slaughterhouse where he has been held prisoner by the Germans during the deadly World War II firebombing of Dresden:

It wasn't safe to come out of the shelter until noon the next day. When the Americans and their guards did come out, the sky was black with smoke. The sun was an angry little pinhead. Dresden was like the moon now , nothing but minerals. The stones were hot. Everybody else in the neighborhood was dead.

Vonnegut uses simile to compare the bombed city of Dresden to the moon in order to capture the totality of the devastation—the city is so lifeless that it is like the barren moon.

Figurative Language Example: Oxymoron

These lines from Chapter 7 of Ernest Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls describe an encounter between Robert Jordan, a young American soldier fighting in the Spanish Civil War, and his lover María.

She held herself tight to him and her lips looked for his and then found them and were against them and he felt her, fresh, new and smooth and young and lovely with the warm, scalding coolness and unbelievable to be there in the robe that was as familiar as his clothes, or his shoes, or his duty and then she said, frightenedly, “And now let us do quickly what it is we do so that the other is all gone.”

The couple's relationship becomes a bright spot for both of them in the midst of war, but ultimately also a source of pain and confusion for Jordan, as he struggles to balance his obligation to fight with his desire to live happily by Maria's side. The contradiction contained within the oxymoron "scalding coolness" emphasizes the couple's conflicting emotions and impossible situation.

Figurative Language Example: Hyperbole

Elizabeth Bennet, the most free-spirited character in Pride and Prejudice , refuses Mr. Darcy's first marriage proposal with a string of hyperbole :

From the very beginning, from the first moment I may almost say, of my acquaintance with you, your manners impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form that ground-work of disapprobation, on which succeeding events have built so immoveable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.

Elizabeth's closing statement, that Darcy is the "last man in the world" whom she would ever marry, is an obvious hyperbole. It's hard to believe that Elizabeth would rather marry, say, an axe murderer or a diseased pirate than Mr. Darcy. Even beyond the obvious exaggeration, Austen's use of hyperbole in this exchange hints at the fact that Elizabeth's feelings for Darcy are more complicated than she admits, even to herself. Austen drops various hints throughout the beginning of the novel that Elizabeth feels something beyond mere dislike for Darcy. Taken together with these hints, Elizabeth's hyperbolic statements seem designed to convince not only Darcy, but also herself, that their relationship has no future.

Figurative Language Example: Personification

In Chapter 1 of The Scarlet Letter , Nathaniel Hawthorne describes a wild rose bush that grows in front of Salem's gloomy wooden jail:

But, on one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rose-bush, covered, in this month of June, with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in, and to the condemned criminal as he came forth to his doom, in token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him.

In the context of the novel's setting in 17th century Boston, this rose bush, which grows wild in front of an establishment dedicated to enforcing harsh puritan values, symbolizes those elements of human nature that cannot be repressed, no matter how strict a community's moral code may be: desire, fertility, and a love of beauty. By personifying the rosebush as "offering" its blossoms to reflect Nature's pity (Nature is also personified here as having a "heart"), Hawthorne turns the passive coincidence of the rosebush's location into an image of human nature actively resisting its constraints.

Figurative Language Example: Idiom

Figurative language example: onomatopoeia.

In Act 3, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's The Tempest , Caliban uses onomatopoeia to convey the noises of the island.

Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises, Sounds, and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices...

The use of onomatopoeia makes the audience feel the sounds on the island, rather than just have to take Caliban's word about there being noises.

Figurative Language Example: Synecdoche

In Act 4, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's Macbeth , an angry Macbeth kicks out a servant by saying:

Take thy face hence.

Here, "thy face" stands in for "you." Macbeth is simply telling the servant to leave, but his use of synecdoche makes the tone of his command more harsh and insulting because he uses synecdoche to treat the servant not as a person but as an object, a body part.

Figurative Language Example: Metonymy

In his song "Juicy," Notorious B.I.G. raps:

Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight

Here he's using "limelight" as a metonymy for fame (a "limelight" was a kind of spotlight used in old theaters, and so it came to be associated with the fame of being in the spotlight). Biggie's use of metonymy here also sets him up for a sweet rhyme.

Figurative Language Example: Alliteration

In his song "Rap God," Eminem shows his incredible lyrical dexterity by loading up the alliteration :

S o I wanna make sure, s omewhere in this chicken s cratch I S cribble and doodle enough rhymes T o maybe t ry t o help get s ome people through t ough t imes But I gotta k eep a few punchlines Just in c ase, ‘ c ause even you un s igned Rappers are hungry l ooking at me l ike it's l unchtime…

Why Do Writers Use Figurative Language?

The term figurative language refers to a whole host of different figures of speech, so it's difficult to provide a single definitive answer to why writers use figurative language. That said, writers use figurative language for a wide variety of reasons:

• Interest and beauty: Figurative language allows writes to express descriptions, ideas, and more in ways that are unique and beautiful.
• Complexity and power: Because figurative language can create meanings that go beyond the literal, it can capture complex ideas, feelings, descriptions, or truths that cause readers to see things in a new way, or more closely mirror the complex reality of the world.
• Visceral affect: Because figurative language can both impact the rhythm and sound of language, and also connect the abstract (say, love) with the concrete (say, a rose), it can help language make an almost physical impact on a reader.
• Humor: By allowing a writer to layer additional meanings over literal meanings, or even to imply intended meanings that are the opposite of the literal meaning, figurative language gives writers all sorts of options for creating humor in their writing.
• Realism: People speak and even think in terms of the sorts of comparisons that underlie so much figurative language. Rather than being flowery, figurative language allows writers to describe things in ways that match how people really think about them, and to create characters who themselves feel real.

In general, figurative language often makes writing feel at once more accessible and powerful, more colorful, surprising, and deep.

Other Helpful Figurative Language Resources

• The dictionary definition of figurative : Touches on figurative language, as well as some other meanings of the word.
• Figurative and Frost : Examples of figurative language in the context of the poetry of Robert Frost.
• Figurative YouTube : A video identifying various forms of figurative language from movies and television shows.
• Wikipedia on literal and figurative language : A bit technical, but with a good list of examples.

• PDFs for all 136 Lit Terms we cover
• Downloads of 1899 LitCharts Lit Guides
• Teacher Editions for every Lit Guide
• Explanations and citation info for 39,983 quotes across 1899 books
• Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play
• Alliteration
• Figure of Speech
• Onomatopoeia
• Personification
• Rhyme Scheme
• Point of View
• Internal Rhyme
• Protagonist
• Anthropomorphism
• Foreshadowing
• Climax (Figure of Speech)
• Extended Metaphor
• Slant Rhyme

Figure of Speech

Definition of figure of speech.

A figure of speech is a word or phrase that is used in a non-literal way to create an effect. This effect may be rhetorical as in the deliberate arrangement of words to achieve something poetic, or imagery as in the use of language to suggest a visual picture or make an idea more vivid. Overall, figures of speech function as literary devices because of their expressive use of language. Words are used in other ways than their literal meanings or typical manner of application.

For example, Margaret Atwood utilizes figures of speech in her poem “ you fit into me ” as a means of achieving poetic meaning and creating a vivid picture for the reader.

you fit into me like a hook into an eye a fish hook an open eye

The simile in the first two lines sets forth a comparison between the way “you” fits into the poet like a hook and eye closure for perhaps a garment. This is an example of rhetorical effect in that the wording carefully achieves the idea of two things meant to connect to each other. In the second two lines, the wording is clarified by adding “fish” to “hook” and “open” to “eye,” which calls forth an unpleasant and even violent image. The poet’s descriptions of hooks and eyes are not meant literally in the poem. Yet the use of figurative language allows the poet to express two very different meanings and images that enhance the interpretation of the poem through contrast .

Types of Figures of Speech

The term  figure of speech covers a wide range of literary devices, techniques, and other forms of figurative language, a few of which include:

Personification

Understatement.

• Alliteration
• Onomatopoeia
• Circumlocution

Common Examples of Figures of Speech Used in Conversation

Many people use figures of speech in conversation as a way of clarifying or emphasizing what they mean. Here are some common examples of conversational figures of speech:

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that utilizes extreme exaggeration to emphasize a certain quality or feature.

• I have a million things to do.
• This suitcase weighs a ton.
• This room is an ice-box.
• I’ll die if he doesn’t ask me on a date.
• I’m too poor to pay attention.

Understatement is a figure of speech that invokes less emotion than would be expected in reaction to something. This downplaying of reaction is a surprise for the reader and generally has the effect of showing irony .

• I heard she has cancer, but it’s not a big deal.
• Joe got his dream job, so that’s not too bad.
• Sue won the lottery, so she’s a bit excited.
• That condemned house just needs a coat of paint.
• The hurricane brought a couple of rain showers with it.

A paradox is a figure of speech that appears to be self-contradictory but actually reveals something truthful.

• You have to spend money to save it.
• What I’ve learned is that I know nothing.
• You have to be cruel to be kind.
• Things get worse before they get better.
• The only rule is to ignore all rules.

A pun is a figure of speech that contains a “ play ” on words, such as using words that mean one thing to mean something else or words that sound alike in as a means of changing meaning.

• A sleeping bull is called a bull-dozer.
• Baseball players eat on home plates.
• Polar bears vote at the North Poll.
• Fish are smart because they travel in schools.
• One bear told another that life without them would be grizzly.

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that connects two opposing ideas, usually in two-word phrases, to create a contradictory effect.

• open secret
• Alone together
• controlled chaos
• pretty ugly

Common Examples of Figure of Speech in Writing

Writers also use figures of speech in their work as a means of description or developing meaning. Here are some common examples of figures of speech used in writing:

Simile is a figure of speech in which two dissimilar things are compared to each other using the terms “like” or “as.”

• She’s as pretty as a picture.
• I’m pleased as punch.
• He’s strong like an ox.
• You are sly like a fox.
• I’m happy as a clam.

A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things without the use of the terms “like” or “as.”

• He is a fish out of water.
• She is a star in the sky.
• My grandchildren are the flowers of my garden.
• That story is music to my ears.
• Your words are a broken record.

Euphemism is a figure of speech that refers to figurative language designed to replace words or phrases that would otherwise be considered harsh, impolite, or unpleasant.

• Last night , Joe’s grandfather passed away (died).
• She was starting to feel over the hill (old).
• Young adults are curious about the birds and bees (sex).
• I need to powder my nose (go to the bathroom).
• Our company has decided to let you go (fire you).

Personification is a figure of speech that attributes human characteristics to something that is not human.

• I heard the wind whistling.
• The water danced across my window.
• My dog is telling me to start dinner.
• The moon is smiling at me.
• Her alarm hummed in the background.

Writing Figure of Speech

As a literary device, figures of speech enhance the meaning of written and spoken words. In oral communication, figures of speech can clarify, enhance description, and create interesting use of language. In writing, when figures of speech are used effectively, these devices enhance the writer’s ability for description and expression so that readers have a better understanding of what is being conveyed.

It’s important that writers construct effective figures of speech so that the meaning is not lost for the reader. In other words, simple rearrangement or juxtaposition of words is not effective in the way that deliberate wording and phrasing are. For example, the hyperbole “I could eat a horse” is effective in showing great hunger by using figurative language. If a writer tried the hyperbole “I could eat a barn made of licorice,” the figurative language is ineffective and the meaning would be lost for most readers.

Here are some ways that writers benefit from incorporating figures of speech into their work:

Figure of Speech as Artistic Use of Language

Effective use of figures of speech is one of the greatest demonstrations of artistic use of language. Being able to create poetic meaning, comparisons, and expressions with these literary devices is how writers form art with words.

Figure of Speech as Entertainment for Reader

Effective figures of speech often elevate the entertainment value of a literary work for the reader. Many figures of speech invoke humor or provide a sense of irony in ways that literal expressions do not. This can create a greater sense of engagement for the reader when it comes to a literary work.

Figure of Speech as Memorable Experience for Reader

By using effective figures of speech to enhance description and meaning, writers make their works more memorable for readers as an experience. Writers can often share a difficult truth or convey a particular concept through figurative language so that the reader has a greater understanding of the material and one that lasts in memory.

Examples of Figure of Speech in Literature

Works of literature feature innumerable figures of speech that are used as literary devices. These figures of speech add meaning to literature and showcase the power and beauty of figurative language. Here are some examples of figures of speech in well-known literary works:

Example 1:  The Great Gatsby  (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.

Fitzgerald makes use of simile here as a figure of speech to compare Gatsby’s party guests to moths. The imagery used by Fitzgerald is one of delicacy and beauty, and creates an ephemeral atmosphere . However, the likening of Gatsby’s guests to moths also reinforces the idea that they are only attracted to the sensation of the parties and that they will depart without having made any true impact or connection. This simile, as a figure of speech, underscores the themes of superficiality and transience in the novel .

Example 2:  One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

Both described at the same time how it was always March there and always Monday, and then they understood that José Arcadio Buendía was not as crazy as the family said, but that he was the only one who had enough lucidity to sense the truth of the fact that time also stumbled and had accidents and could therefore splinter and leave an eternalized fragment in a room.

In this passage, Garcia Marquez utilizes personification as a figure of speech. Time is personified as an entity that “stumbled” and “had accidents.” This is an effective use of figurative language in that this personification of time indicates a level of human frailty that is rarely associated with something so measured. In addition, this is effective in the novel as a figure of speech because time has a great deal of influence on the plot and characters of the story. Personified in this way, the meaning of time in the novel is enhanced to the point that it is a character in and of itself.

Example 3:  Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury)

A book is a loaded gun in the house next door…Who knows who might be the target of the well-read man?

In this passage, Bradbury utilizes metaphor as a figure of speech to compare a book to a loaded gun. This is an effective literary device for this novel because, in the story, books are considered weapons of free thought and possession of them is illegal. Of course, Bradbury is only stating that a book is a loaded gun as a means of figurative, not literal meaning. This metaphor is particularly powerful because the comparison is so unlikely; books are generally not considered to be dangerous weapons. However, the comparison does have a level of logic in the context of the story in which the pursuit of knowledge is weaponized and criminalized.

Related posts:

• Speech: “Is this a dagger which I see before me

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Video transcript

Top 20 Figures of Speech Quiz

Select the figure of speech most clearly illustrated by the short passage

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York
• understatement
• synechdoche
• onomatopoeia
• personification
• alliteration

The wind is being addressed as though it is capable of understanding, which makes this verse an example of apostrophe .

Using metonymy allows a writer to describe something indirectly by referring to other similar or associated elements.

Puns are also known as "Dad jokes."

In the opening of A Tale of Two Cities , Charles Dickens uses antithesis to contrast opposing ideas with balanced phrases.

Writers use assonance, the repetition of similar vowel sounds, for emphasis and to show relatedness or cohesion.

Irony, the opposite of what is expected.

Good start! You can use these resources to learn more about common figures of speech:

• Learn About Metaphors
• Learn About Similes
• Learn About Puns
• Learn About Irony

Nice job! Here are some resources on less common figures of speech that you might find interesting:

• Learn About Euphemisms
• Learn About Hyperbole
• Learn About Oxymorons
• Learn About Understatement

Terrific work! You're a star of the figure of speech world. Interested in learning more? Check out these articles:

• Smashing Examples of Onomatopeoia
• All About Alliteration
• The Best Hyperbole Definition Ever
• The Other Kind of Apostrophe

Wow! You are beyond awesome and that is an understatement . Interested in learning even more about figures of speech? Check out these articles:

• You say Antimetabole , I say Chiasmus
• Going to bed is an example of Metonymy .
• Figure of Speech: Definition and Examples
• Brief Introductions to Common Figures of Speech
• The Top 20 Figures of Speech
• What Is the Figure of Speech Antiphrasis?
• 20 Figures of Speech That We Never Heard About in School
• Homer Simpson's Figures of Speech
• Figures of Speech: The Apostrophe as a Literary Device
• Figure of Thought in Rhetoric
• Definition and Examples of Irony (Figure of Speech)
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Figurative Language Worksheets

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Common Core State Standards demand that students identify figurative language techniques . This means that your standardized test is likely to question figurative language knowledge. Students can prepare for this through repeated exposure to figurative language. You can do this by studying figurative language poems , activities , or the worksheets on this page.

These worksheets will give students rapid fire practice with figurative language techniques. Not only must students identify the techniques, they must explain their answers. This approach forces students to consider their answers. It also helps teachers identify misunderstandings.

Figurative Language and Poetic Devices Review Games

Figurative Language Common Core State Standards

162 comments, jacob michel.

is there a way to put some of these into schoology

Smith-Daniels

I just stumbles upon this sight when I was browsing the web for figurative language worksheets. Thank you for those. But I am writing you to give you a BIG KUDOS for the Figurative Language ORPHEUS game. Yes my kids play kahoot….. but THIS GAME had them sooo excited. I can’t thank you enough and only wish I had discovered the site sooner.

That’s awesome. Check out the Poetry Cat game too! I think they will like that.

Is there an Answer Key for the Figurative Language Test 1? I would like to use this for helping my students.

Figurative language Worksheet 1 #2 is in need of correction. The quote provided is an example of onomatopoeia, which is not one of the choices. “Drip—hiss—drip—hiss fall the raindrops / on the oaken log which burns, and steams, and smokes the ceiling beams. / Drip—hiss—the rain never stops.”

We assumed here that the presence of another technique is simply beyond the scope of the question.

We’re sticking to the thought question (to match with the provided answers) and discussing what else we think we find (if we do).

We spotted this ‘bonus’ technique also.

This question does contain onomatopoeia. And you can definitely discuss and share that.

It also contains hyperbole.

George Mariano

Figurative language Worksheet 1 #1 must have the second line of the poem for it to be considered a simile. “Like burnt-out torches by a sick man’s bed Gaunt cypress-trees stand round the sun-bleached stone;” The “burnt-out torches” and cypress trees are being compared, as are the sick man’s bed and Shelley’s “sun-bleached” grave stone. Please see Wilde’s poem, “The Grave of Shelley”.

Thanks for the heads up 🙂

And thanks to this website for these exercises.

Very happy to find this resource for our homeschool project and great to see it is alive with feedback. Really appreciate the effort.

Dakota bates

This was veery helpfully with my test

Lorevic Arreza

These figurative Languages are very much helpful for my pupils and a great help for my reference. Thank you so much and keep up the excellent work. God bless!

just studying for a final LOL

Thank you very much for providing the worksheets. It is very helpful. Gob Bless and keep up the good work.

I am deeply touched to have seen this work. This is simply amazing…… I am so thankful.

Samarth Roy

I just wanna say……..”Doctor MOrton my literary misconceptions are afraid of you just like computer viruses from NORTON.

Christy Smith

Thank you for all your hard work on this site! I have used it for years in my classroom and find it the best way to teach poetic terms.

I’m so happy to hear it. Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment. Best wishes!

Is there a way to load these worksheets to my google classroom

Some of the activities on this page can be uploaded to Google Classroom: http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/e-reading-worksheets/online-reading-tests/

Specifically, the short stories and point of view practice activities.

I aim to support Google Classroom across the site one day…

I honestly could not survive as a teacher without your items — I utilize it in so many ways!

Dr. Seema Singh

Very useful worksheets to give ample practice to my students. Saves a lot of time !! Thanks a lot

I cannot even begin to imagine how many hours and days and years this has taken you. To say that I am grateful, Mr. Morton, is an understatement. Because of your efforts, I believe thousands upon thousands of students are getting a better education. (This comes from a beginning teacher with little experience putting together language units). Praise God for your generosity, kindness and effort.

thank you for providing these worksheets as a resource for students like me 🙂

This is an amazing resource! Thank you so much!

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4.12: Figurative Language

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• Heather Ringo & Athena Kashyap
• City College of San Francisco via ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative

Figurative Language

Figurative language uses words or expressions not meant to be taken literally. Whether you realize it or not, we encounter them every day. When we exaggerate we use hyperbole : I’m so hungry I can eat a horse ; when Rhianna sings about stars like diamonds in the sky she uses simile ; when we say opportunity knocked on my door we are using personification . In addition to making our conversations interesting and capturing our intense feelings, figurative language is very important to the making of poetry. It is a tool that allows us to make connections, comparisons, and contrasts in ways that produce insight, raise questions, and add specificity. Earlier we worked to make words more specific. We changed apple , blue , and boat into golden delicious , turquoise , and sailboat . The changes made the images more immediate and sharper and offered the reader opportunities to understand the poem. Figures of speech are the next step to adding layers to your poems, to adding even more complexity and meaning.

Types of Figurative Language

Figurative language, often the comparison made between two seemingly unlike things, is almost all image-based and, therefore, a good friend of poetry. In fact, some, like Owen Barfield in his e ssay on metaphor in Poets.org, would go so far as to say that poetry is metaphor :

The most conspicuous point of contact between meaning and poetry is metaphor . For one of the first things that a students of etymology—even quite an amateur student—discovers for himself is that every language, with its thousands of abstract terms, and its nuances of meaning and association, is apparently nothing, from beginning to end, but an unconscionable tissue of dead, or petrified, metaphors. If we trace the meaning of a great many words—or those of the elements of which they are composed—about as far back as etymology can take us, we are at once made to realize that an overwhelming proportion, if not all, of them referred in earlier days to one of these two things—a solid, sensible object, or some animal (probably human) activity. Examples abound on every page of the dictionary. Thus, an apparently objective scientific term like elasticity, on the one hand, and the metaphysical abstract on the other, are both traceable to verbs meaning “draw” or “drag.” Centrifugal and centripetal are composed of a noun meaning “a goad” and verbs signifying “to flee” and “to seek” respectively; epithet, theme, thesis, anathema, hypothesis, etc., go back to a Greek verb, “to put,” and even right and wrong , it seems, once had the meaning “stretched” and so “straight” and “wringing” or “sour.” Some philologists, looking still further back into the past, have resolved these two classes into one, but this is immaterial to the point at issue.

(Owen Barfield, "Metaphor")

Image from Pixabay

“Nothing in the intellect that was not previously in the senses"

“Nothing in the intellect that was not previously in the senses,” wrote philosopher John Locke. In short, the way we know anything is through the senses — even abstract idea originates through experience gained through our bodies. And in the case of language’s origin, as explained above, it appears that all words, at their invention, referred to something concrete: an object or a specific action that evoked the senses. As we continue to use words, they evolve, for they live their own life. And when we use a word, we invite its history and permutations into its meaning. Of course, this is all way too much to think about at once in the writing process. But it is why writers revise and cross-examine their diction, thinking out what meanings the word may suggest. Language is naturally symbolic in origin, in its fabric. And an art that uses words cannot help but also have more meanings than just the literal. The following types of figurative language are used most often in poetry:

• Metaphor : A direct comparison between two unlike things, as in Hope is the thing with feathers (Emily Dickinson, “Hope”).
• Simile : A comparison that uses like or as, as in something inside m e / rising explosive as my parakeet bursting / from its cage (Bruce Snider, “Chemistry”)
• Personification : Human characteristics being applied to non-human things, as in irises, all / funnel & hood, papery tongues whispering little / rumors in their mouths (Laura Kasischke, “Hostess”).
• Metonymy : When one thing is represented by another thing associated with it, as in The pen is mightier than the sword (where pen stands in for writing, and sword stands in for warfare or violence).
• Synecdoche : When a part of something symbolizes the whole, or the whole of something symbolizes the part, as in All hands on deck (where hands stands in for men ), or The whole world loves you (where whole world represents only a small number of its human population).

When we read such literary devices, our mind lights up a new pathway between the two things and we discover new ways of thinking about the relationship between these two things. We wonder, how is his love a red, red rose? But before we wonder, our senses have already made a connection. As we look closer at the poem, we begin to explore the idea more.

The following is a poem by Laura Kasischke. Can you identify the numerous metaphors and similes?

Confections

Caramel is sugar burnt

to syrup in a pan. Chaos is a pinch of joy, a bit of screaming. An infant sleeping’s a milky sea. A star

is fire and flower. Divinity is beaten out of egg whites

into cool white peaks. Friendship

begins and ends in suspicion, unless it ends in death. Ignite

a glass of brandy in a pan, and you’ll

have cherries jubilee: sex without love’s sodden nightgown

before your house burns down. Music’s

a bomb of feathers in the air inthe moment before it explodes and settles itself whispering onto the sleeves of a child’s choir robe. And

a candied apple’s like a heartache—exactly

like a heartache—something sweet and red tortured to death

with something sweeter, and more red.

Laura Kasischke, “Confections” from Fire & Flower . Copyright © 1998 by Laura Kasischke. Reprinted with the permission of The Permissions Company, Inc., on behalf of Alice James Books, www.alicejamesbooks.org.

The poem begins with a sentence that mimics a metaphor — stating something is something else: carmel is sugar burnt / to syrup in a pan . It sounds like a metaphor, but it actually isn't. Carmel actually is sugar burnt to syrup. Rather than a metaphor, the first two lines function as a definition, which sets the stage (note my own figurative language) for understanding how metaphors work in our minds, for whether definition or metaphor, we use the same structure: x is y; our minds equate the one thing with the other. In the poem this happens with carmel to sugar burnt to syrup.

In “Confections,” the opening definition that looked like a metaphor is followed by a true metaphor (or is it?). Chaos is a pinch of joy, a bit of screaming. We take this as metaphor, but because we do, it brings us back to the first sentence. If sentence two is figurative, why isn’t sentence one? And if sentence one is literal, why isn't sentence two? Both are structured exactly the same. Kasischke’s poem exposes the slipperiness of language and syntax: how we use them and interpret them. The poem asks us to examine closely the line between imagination and reality and the role language plays in sorting them out, or not.

The next two metaphors are more imagistic that the previous: An infant sleeping’s / a milky sea. A star / is fire and flower . While we couldn’t "see" the abstraction joy and could only hear screaming , we certainly see a milky sea, and we certainly see a star flaring as fire, and flower. The parallel of fire and flower is interesting because they are so different. A flower would not survive if it were ablaze in flames. Yet, Kasischke’s comparison between the star and fire and flower makes sense to us. It plays not on the science of heat, but on the images associated with fire and flowers: they both spread outward. So, we equate the shape and motion of a star with both fire and flower. Of course, like the comparison of caramel to sugar burnt to syrup, a star actually is a fire. Again, the poem engages our ability to hold two things in the mind at once—just as a metaphor does—only with the poem as a whole, these two things are the literal and symbolic nature of language.

Read the poem "Confections" and continue to discuss the effect of the figurative language. Explore the comparisons deeper: how is an infant a milky sea? How is chaos a pinch of joy, a bit of screaming? Explore how figurative language allows us to use concrete language to relate abstract ideas.

Watch the video: The Art of the Metaphor by Jane Hirshfield, animation by Ben Pearce.

Video 6.10.1 : The Art of the Metaphor

Contributors and Attributions

• Adapted from Naming the Unnameable: An Approach to Poetry for New Generations by Michelle Bonczek Evory under the license CC BY-NC-SA

Different By Design Learning

with Shawna Wingert

17 Figurative Language Activities For Middle School And High School

Figurative language is an essential component of language arts – both reading and writing. But finding figurative language activities for middle school (and high school!) that aren’t simply rote memorization and worksheets can be a struggle. These activities take a unique approach to learning and practicing figurative language in everyday life.

What Is Figurative Language?

Table Of Contents

The term figurative language is used to describe the creative ways we use language to communicate beyond the literal definition of our words.

Examples of figurative language include:

• Personification

Alliteration

If you have a child who has been diagnosed with a learning difference that includes social communication issues, these “figures of speech” tend to trip up our kiddos the most.

Simply put, figurative language is defined as a creative way to use words and phrases beyond their literal definition to explain something more abstract or heighten the emotional power of that word or phrase. It makes the text more relatable, engaging, and interesting as it’s very good at provoking emotions or intriguing thoughts.  Kids Connect.com

Because my children have struggled with how to interpret and apply figurative language, I have seen how lackluster and ineffective some of the activities for learning can be.

Primary Forms Of Figurative Language

In order to best help my son become more proficeint in figurative language, I needed to first remind myself what all of the forms of figurative language actually were (being honest here!).

Here are quick and easy definitions of each of the primary forms of figurative language:

Simile is used to directly compare two things, typically with “like” or “as.”

Examples of simile in figurative language:

• That’s light  as   a feather .
• We’re  like   two peas in a pod .

Personificati on

Personification is a figure of speech used to give human qualities to something that’s not human.

Examples of personification:

• Time flies when you are having fun.
• The light danced across the window sill.

This is a style or technique where we see a repetition of the initial sounds in two or more neighboring words.

Examples of alliteration:

• Even elephants enjoy eating eggs every day.
• She sells sea-shells on the seashore.

Alliterations are often difficult to pronounce, but fun to try and say. For a child in speech therapy, alliteration is often employed to help with any sounds that are a struggle.

Hyperbole is what we use when we exaggerate to make a point.

Examples of hyperbole:

• I’ve listened to this audiobook a million times.
• I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.

Metaphors are the ones we most commonly use in everyday language, but can be the most difficult for our children to understand (especially if you have a literal thinker!).

Examples of metaphor: 

• He has ants in his pants.
• That is music to my ears.

Idioms are well-known expressions that make a point that is different than what they actually day. If you thought metaphors were tough for your child, idioms will likely take some time to learn.

Examples of idioms:

• She got cold feet before the wedding.
• It’s raining cats and dogs.

How We Teach Figurative Language

When my son was in speech therapy, his therapist used a lot of flash cards and worksheets to try and help him understand and use figurative language. This approach did not work. He was bored to tears and couldn’t keep track of all the “names” (i.e. simile vs. metaphor vs. idiom).

As I thought about my own use of figurative language as an adult, I realized that I never think about the terms themselves. I simply use the various figures of speech to more creatively communicate. I realized that I am much more concerned about him using figurative language than I am his being able to define it!

Instead of focusing on the definitions, I instead began employing fun, every day, interactive exercises to help my son better grasp the use of figurative language.

17 Figurative Language Activities For Middle School And High School Learners

Here are some of my absolute favorites for learning about and practicing figurative language in everyday life.

• Start With Songs

Because songs are typically rich with descriptive, creative lyrics, they are a great place to start for an older learner.  I print out the lyrics of my son’s favorite songs with a larger font, double spaced. This makes it easier for him to read (he is profoundly dyslexic) and we then go through and highlight any examples of figurative language.

(As an aside, don’t discount rap. Some of the most powerful metaphors we have discovered in this activity have come from my son’s favorite rap artists.)

• Pick A Favorite Book

My son has listened to and read the Harry Potter series so many times, he can recite entire passages by heart. Now, we go through and look for examples of figurative language in these books. He is familiar enough with the story to more easily manage the information.

(Plus, “Just because you’ve got the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn’t mean we all have” is one of my son’s favorite Hermione quotes.)

• Make It A Game

I know this goes without saying, but games make learning so much more fun. The good news is, there are many games that encourage playing with figurative language.

For example, these metaphor dice make learning hands-on and so much more fun.

We even played a game as part of The Learners Lab with Colleen Kessler last month all about idioms.

• Pick A Work Of Art

Art naturally lends itself to figurative language. Trying to describe why one work of art speaks to you (see what I did there) generally requires the use of figurative language.

We take some time to look through an art book and each choose a favorite. Then, we try to describe it in the most outrageous ways possible. My son pretends to be a pretentious art critic and I check language arts off the list for the day.

Like art, poetry is a natural place to go for exposure to and a discussion of figurative language.

• Don’t Forget The Bard

The works of Shakespeare include figurative language throughout. Interestingly, many children with dyslexia actually do well with Shakespeare as the cadence and rhyme can help a struggling reader anticipate what’s next in a sentence. This has certainly been the case for my son, and the added bonus to our Shakespeare study is being able to easily incorporate discussions around figurative language.

• Describe Your Best Friend

This activity is exactly what it sound like – use the craziest over the top language to describe your friend. He takes a turn and then I do the same.

• Describe Your Pet

This is just like the activity to describe your friend, but it is about your pet instead. I find my son is more easily able to apply figurative language to a describing his service dog, Sammy , than any other creature on the planet.

• Look At Pictures

We have pulled out pictures from his early childhood and used figurative language to describe what’s happening in the picture, or what he remembers about that timeframe.

• Listen To Classical Music

See art above – the same thing applies to classical music!

• Pick A Color

Have you ever tried to describe a color? Ask your child to pick their favorite and explain why. Figurative language is sure to follow.

Walking about and describing nature is a great way to add a figurative language activity to your day. The easiest place to start? Lie down on a picnic blanket, look up and describe the clouds.

• Your Favorite Season

Describing your favorite season is another way to incorporate figurative language into your everyday conversation.

• Watch Your Favorite Show

My son and I watch YouTube videos together daily. Because of this, I am on the look-out for figurative language, especially humorous figurative language. When it comes up, I causally repeat what they said and we may talk a bit more about it, especially if it’s an idiom or something difficult for my son to understand.

• Research Brand Slogans

“America runs on Dunkin’”

“We put the fun in funeral”

“Just Do it”

All are forms of figurative language used to convey emotion in brand marketing.

• A Figure Of Speech Day

When I am trying to help my son remember the difference between a simile and a metaphor (which I honestly don’t focus on all that much – as I said, I am much more concerned about him using figurative language than I am his being able to define it ) I may designate a day of the week as a simile day. This means he and I randomly come up with similes throughout the day. I keep a tally tracker and almost always let him win.

• Tell An Embarrassing Story

This can be a really natural, fun way to inspire figurative language. Describing the events in way that conveys embarrassment often lends itself to figurative language.

Here’s a quick list of all 17 figurative language activities to help you get started!

Thanks for sharing.

Shawna Wingert is a former training and development professional turned education specialist, and has homeschooled her two children for the last ten years.Shawna has written four books about homeschooling unique learners and has been featured in homeschooling discussions on Today.com, The Mighty, Simple Homeschool, My Little Poppies and Raising Lifelong Leaners. 

You can find her online here at DifferentByDesignLearning.com.

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Bringing Language to Life: Tips for Teaching Figurative Language at Home

Teaching figurative language is a lot like adding a splash of color to language learning. It might sound like something for older kids, but it’s a delightful adventure that even younger ones can enjoy!

Diving into the world of figurative language in your homeschool might feel a bit like stepping into the unknown, but fear not! With just a dash of creativity and a pinch of practical strategies, you’ll find it’s an exciting journey to include these language tricks in your child’s learning.

What is figurative language?

Figurative language is a key component in the world of literature and communication. It’s an umbrella term that encompasses various techniques such as metaphors, similes, idioms, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, personification, symbolism, and more. 

Figurative language isn’t just for poets and authors to play with; it’s a cool way to add some pizzazz to everyday conversations. It’s like a secret code that makes words more vivid and exciting.

Getting the hang of figurative language doesn’t just make language more exciting but it greatly improves understanding, too. When your kids dive into the world of metaphors, similes, and all those language tricks, they’re actually leveling up their reading and listening skills.

Think of it this way: when they’re reading a book, they’ll spot the hidden meanings between the lines, making the story even cooler. And during conversations, they’ll catch the real vibes behind what people say. 

This comes in handy when they’re exploring different types of books because it helps them analyze things deeper. Writers love using these cool tricks to add drama and oomph to their stories. So, your kids won’t just read words; they’ll unravel the hidden meanings within them!

Teaching figurative language to different age groups

Understanding the right time to introduce figurative language to kids can be a bit tricky, but it’s not something you should stress about. Many educators and experts suggest that children are ready for this learning leap by third grade when their understanding of language is more developed. However, don’t feel restricted by this guideline! Every child learns at their own pace and may show readiness earlier or later.

Remember though, there’s no rush! The goal is to make learning figurative language fun and engaging rather than overwhelming them with complex concepts too early on. Start with simple examples of figurative language such as similes (as fast as a cheetah) or common idioms (it’s raining cats and dogs). As long as your kiddo seems interested and isn’t getting frustrated – keep going!

Teaching figurative language can be also tailored to the specific developmental stages of elementary, middle school, and high school students. While the core concepts remain consistent, the depth and complexity of instruction can evolve as your child grows. 

Here’s how you can approach teaching figurative language at each age and some examples of what to teach:

Teaching figurative language to elementary-aged children

Kids at this stage are like little sponges, soaking up new ideas. Figurative language can be a game they play rather than a boring lesson. Think about simple stuff like comparing things (like calling the sky “blue as the ocean”) or giving animals human traits (like talking trees).

Teaching figurative language to middle schoolers

As kids grow, so does their thinking. Middle school is all about diving deeper, like figuring out why authors use certain words. They’ll dig into more advanced stuff like idioms (phrases that mean something different from the words), alliteration (words starting with the same sound), or analogies (comparisons between different things).

Teaching figurative language to high schoolers

Now it’s like figurative language is a puzzle waiting to be solved. High schoolers can handle the trickiest types, like symbolism (when one thing represents another) or irony (when words mean the opposite). They can even use these tools in their own writing to make things more interesting!

Benefits of Teaching Figurative Language

Incorporating figurative language into your homeschooling routine offers a myriad of advantages that extend beyond language skills. By embracing metaphors, similes, personification, and other forms of figurative expressions, you’re nurturing your child’s creativity, critical thinking, and overall cognitive development. 

Here are some of the benefits of introducing figurative language into our children’s lives:

• Develops critical thinking skills – Understanding metaphors, similes, idioms etc. requires kids to think more abstractly and make connections between concepts. This builds skills like problem-solving, inference, and analysis.
• Expands imagination and creativity – Figurative language encourages kids to imagine vivid scenarios and make imaginative comparisons. Using figurative language in stories or poems allows creative self-expression.
• Improves reading comprehension – Being able to recognize figurative language helps kids understand when a passage isn’t meant to be taken literally. This aids in comprehending literature, picking up on nuances, and analyzing themes.
• Enhances emotional intelligence – Figures of speech are often used to convey emotions or make writing more expressive. Learning to interpret figurative language develops kids’ capacity for emotional understanding and empathy.
• Teaches about culture/history – Idioms and proverbs often originate from cultural traditions and events in history. Understanding where figures of speech come from gives kids insight into culture, linguistics and anthropology.
• Builds verbal communication skills – The correct use of figurative language demonstrates a strong grasp of language. Kids with this skill can articulate ideas, explain concepts, and express themselves more effectively.

Naturally Incorporating Figurative Language into Your Homeschool

Incorporating figurative language into your homeschool doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Here are five simple and enjoyable ways to seamlessly integrate these elements into your child’s learning journey:

1. Engaging Storytime

Choose storybooks or fables that naturally incorporate figurative language. Pause while reading to discuss phrases like “quiet as a mouse” or “brave as a lion.” This interactive approach helps children understand and appreciate the nuances of expression.

Here are a few examples of children’s books that incorporate figurative language:

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak: This classic tale is filled with imaginative language that brings the wild things to life. Phrases like “rumpus” and “gnash their terrible teeth” provide opportunities to discuss the unique expressions used in the story.
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett: This whimsical story is packed with creative descriptions, like “spaghetti tornadoes” and “jellybean rain.” Kids can explore these delightful phrases and imagine what a world with food weather might look like.
• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson: This rhyming story features clever language and descriptions that make the Gruffalo’s characteristics come alive. Phrases like “terrible claws” and “poisonous wart” are perfect for discussing how words create vivid images.
• Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst: This book is full of relatable expressions that convey Alexander’s feelings throughout his challenging day. Exploring phrases like “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day” can spark conversations about using words to express emotions.
• The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss: Dr. Seuss is known for his playful use of language. Phrases like “bump, bump, bump” and “up-up with a fish” can be fun to explore and discuss in the context of the story.

2. Movie Magic

Watch movies or animated shows with figurative language-rich dialogues. Afterward, chat about the phrases you noticed, like “It’s raining cats and dogs” or “You’re my shining star.” This bridges the gap between screen time and language exploration.

Here are some examples of movies and shows that contain figurative language-rich dialogues:

• Finding Nemo : In this animated film, characters use expressions like “just keep swimming” and “fish are friends, not food.” These phrases provide opportunities to discuss the use of metaphors and idioms in a fun underwater adventure.
• The Lion King : Simba’s journey is filled with symbolic language. Phrases like “circle of life” and “remember who you are” can lead to conversations about symbolism and the deeper meanings behind words.
• Shrek : This movie cleverly plays with language. Phrases like “ogre-sized appetite” and “better out than in” provide humorous examples of figurative language that kids can enjoy discussing.
• Moana : The songs in this film, such as “How Far I’ll Go,” contain metaphors that represent Moana’s inner conflict and desires. Exploring these metaphors can help kids understand how words can convey complex emotions.
• Toy Story : Characters in this beloved series use expressions like “to infinity and beyond” and “reach for the sky.” These phrases offer a chance to discuss the power of imagination and how words can inspire bravery.
• Frozen : Songs like “Let It Go” are filled with metaphors and symbolism that reflect Elsa’s emotional journey. Exploring these phrases can spark conversations about character development and the impact of words.

3. Nature Walk Language

During nature walks, observe the world around you and use figurative expressions to describe what you see. Share phrases like “whispering trees” or “sun painting the sky,” encouraging your child to create their own metaphors.

Here are some examples of figurative expressions you can use during nature walks to describe the world around you:

• Whispering Trees : Listen to the gentle rustling of leaves in the trees. Explain to your child that the sound is like the trees are whispering secrets to each other.
• Sun Painting the Sky : As the sun sets or rises, describe how the colors spread across the sky like an artist’s brush strokes, painting the sky in shades of pink, orange, and gold.
• Dancing Flowers : Observe flowers swaying in the breeze. Explain that it’s like they’re dancing gracefully to their own natural rhythm.
• River’s Song : When you’re near a river or stream, talk about how the water flows over rocks, creating a soothing and rhythmic sound, like a song sung by nature.
• Blanket of Stars : During an evening walk, look up at the night sky and describe how the stars twinkle like tiny lights on a soft, velvety blanket.

4. Figurative Journaling

Set aside a journal for your child to jot down instances of figurative language they encounter. It could be a line from a book, a snippet from a conversation, or even a catchy advertisement slogan. This helps them actively engage with language in their daily life.

Encourage your child to keep a special journal where they can collect instances of figurative language they come across. Here’s how to get started:

• Spot the Gems : Whenever your child reads a book, listens to a conversation, watches TV, or even notices a catchy slogan, ask them to be on the lookout for phrases that sound different or colorful. These could be similes, metaphors, idioms, or any form of figurative expression.
• Note It Down : Have your child jot down these phrases in their journal. For example, if they read a line like “the city never sleeps,” they can note it down and write a short description of what it means to them.
• Guess the Meaning : Encourage your child to take a guess at the meaning of the figurative expression. This helps them engage with the language and think about how the words create an imaginative image.
• Share and Discuss : Set aside time to sit down with your child and go through their journal. Discuss the phrases they’ve collected, what they think those phrases mean, and why they find them interesting.
• Create Their Own : Encourage your child to come up with their own figurative expressions. For example, they could describe a rainy day as “tears of the sky” or a fast car as “a lightning bolt on wheels.” This nurtures their creativity and understanding of figurative language.
• Connect to Emotions : Help your child understand how figurative language can convey emotions. Ask them how a certain phrase makes them feel and why. For example, “butterflies in my stomach” can convey nervousness.
• Use it in Writing : Encourage your child to incorporate the phrases they’ve collected into their own writing. This could be in stories, poems, or even just creative sentences.

Family Figurative Fun

Turn family time into a figurative language game. Ask each family member to use a metaphor or simile to describe their day or their feelings. This creates a playful atmosphere for practicing and learning together.

Here’s how to turn your family table into a playful learning environment:

• Metaphor or Simile Share : Ask each family member to share a metaphor or simile that describes their day or how they’re feeling. For instance, someone might say, “My day was as busy as a beehive,” or “I feel as excited as a kid on a rollercoaster.”
• Guess the Meaning : After each person shares their metaphor or simile, encourage the others to guess what it means. This not only brings laughter but also shows how language can be both creative and meaningful.
• Create a Story : Build a collaborative story using figurative language. Each family member adds a sentence to the story, incorporating a figurative expression. For example, “Once upon a time, in a faraway land, lived a curious cat…”
• Theme Nights : Choose a theme for each mealtime, like “Feelings Friday” or “Adventure Wednesday.” Everyone uses figurative language related to the theme. This helps your child understand how figurative language can be used in different contexts.
• Language Swap : Challenge each family member to use a figurative expression from a different language or culture. This broadens your child’s understanding of language diversity and creativity.

By weaving figurative language into your routine, you’re not only teaching a valuable skill but also encouraging a lifelong appreciation for language’s beauty and versatility.

Gathering the Right Resources for Teaching Figurative Language

So, you’re all set to introduce your child to the fascinating world of figurative language. But wait! Do you have the right resources in place? It’s crucial to gather engaging and age-appropriate materials that can make this learning journey enjoyable and impactful for your child. Books are a wonderful source when it comes to teaching figurative language. Look for children’s literature with rich examples of similes, metaphors, idioms etc. Poems by Shel Silverstein or Dr.Seuss books could be great places to start. 

You might also consider getting workbooks specifically designed for teaching figurative language at middle or high school level, like Monkey and Mom’s Figurative Language Pack – give it a try with her free sample . These often include fun exercises and activities that allow kids to practice what they’ve learned.

Don’t forget about digital resources! There are plenty of online platforms offering interactive games, quizzes and lessons on figurative language tailored for different age groups including middle schoolers. Websites like BrainPOP or online games like Cannonball Cats can add an element of fun while reinforcing key concepts effectively. Remember though, the best resource is one that resonates most with your child’s interests and learning style!

Final Thoughts

By introducing figurative language to children at different stages of their development, you’re nurturing their communication skills, imagination, and critical thinking abilities. 

It’s not just about making language more interesting; it’s about giving them the tools to unlock the depth and nuances of words. From simple similes and metaphors in elementary school to exploring more complex forms like symbolism and irony in high school, the journey is a progressive one that evolves with your child’s growth.

Special thanks to Laura from Monkey and Mom for sharing these wonderful ideas and this useful resource for teaching figurative language in your homeschool.

Laura is a homeschool mom from Europe with eight years of hands-on expertise in guiding her gifted child’s education. Her eclectic approach blends structured academics and child-led exploration to create a rich and personalized learning environment.

Drawing inspiration from her background as a creative and photographer she discovered unique ways of capturing the essence of education. Alongside homeschooling, Laura finds enjoyment in curating and reviewing curricula, all while navigating the distinct challenges of homeschooling in a country where the practice is taboo.

Beyond education, Laura is an avid writer who loves sharing insights with fellow homeschoolers on her blog, Monkey and Mom . Her philosophy revolves around the privilege of homeschooling. While empowering children to embrace their passions, she believes in finding balance in mastering essential skills, even if these ventures lie outside of their comfort zone.

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Understanding Figurative Language: A Comprehensive Guide

Figurative language overview, common types of figurative language, how to identify figurative language, figurative language in literature, figurative language in poetry, figurative language in prose, figurative language in day-to-day conversations, figurative language in popular culture, why figurative language matters in communication, ways to improve your figurative language skills.

Have you ever heard the phrase "it's raining cats and dogs" and looked up to see if Fido and Whiskers were indeed falling from the sky? The phrase is an example of figurative language, a tool used by writers and speakers to enrich their communication. This blog post will help you have a better grasp of the definition of figurative language, its different types, and how it's used in various contexts. So, let's dive into this fascinating world of words and expressions together!

Simply put, figurative language is a way of saying something other than the literal meaning of the words. It's like a secret code you have to decode to get the real meaning. But don't worry—you don't need to be a spy to understand it; you just need to pay a bit more attention to words and how they're used. Often, people use figurative language to make their speech or writing more interesting, colorful, or impactful.

Here's the definition of figurative language for you: Figurative language is a method of expression that uses words or phrases out of their literal meaning to achieve a more complex or special effect. Think of it as the salt and pepper of language—it adds flavor and zest to otherwise bland sentences.

• Metaphor: "Life is a roller-coaster." Here, life isn't literally a roller-coaster, but this phrase helps convey the ups and downs of life.
• Simile: "She runs like a deer." Again, she's not literally a deer. This phrase is just a way to illustrate her speed and gracefulness.
• Hyperbole: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." Don't worry, no horses are harmed in the process. It's just a humorous way to express extreme hunger.

These are just a few examples of figurative language. There are many more types, each with its unique charm and impact. Understanding the definition of figurative language and its types can help you better appreciate the beauty of language and improve your communication skills. So, are you ready to dive deeper? Let's go!

Familiarizing yourself with the common types of figurative language can make your reading, writing, and daily conversations much more engaging and enjoyable. So, let's take a closer look at some of the most common types, shall we?

• Simile : A simile compares two things using 'like' or 'as'. For example, "Busy as a bee," compares someone's level of activity to a bee's.
• Metaphor : A metaphor makes a comparison without using 'like' or 'as'. "Time is a thief," is a classic example of a metaphor. It means that time passes quickly and often unnoticed, like a thief who comes and goes without being detected.
• Personification : Personification gives human characteristics to non-human things. "The sun smiled down on us," is an example where the sun is given the human ability to smile.
• Hyperbole : Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. If you've ever said, "I've told you a million times," then you've used hyperbole.
• Onomatopoeia : Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates the sound it represents, like 'buzz', 'hiss', or 'sizzle'.
• Idiom : An idiom is a phrase with a figurative meaning that's different from its literal meaning. "Break a leg," is an idiom that actually means "good luck."

These are just a few of the many types of figurative language we use in our daily life. Once you understand the definition of figurative language and become familiar with these types, you'll start noticing them everywhere, from books and poems to TV shows and advertisements. Ready to dive into the next section?

Now that we've explored the definition of figurative language and its various types, let's learn how to identify them in text and conversation. It's not as tricky as you might think.

Tip 1: Look for comparisons : Figurative language often involves some form of comparison. If you see words like 'as', 'like', or 'than', you might be dealing with a simile or a metaphor.

Tip 2: Watch out for personification : If you notice non-human things being described with human characteristics, that's personification. For instance, "The wind whistled through the trees."

Tip 3: Spot exaggerations : Hyperboles are all about overstatement. If something seems ridiculously exaggerated, chances are it's a hyperbole.

Tip 4: Listen for sound words : Onomatopoeia is all about words that mimic sounds. If a word sounds like the noise it's describing, it's probably onomatopoeia.

Tip 5: Decode idioms : Idioms can be tricky because their meanings aren't literal. But if a phrase seems strange or nonsensical, you might be dealing with an idiom.

Remember, figurative language is all about adding color and depth to language. It's the spice in the soup of conversation and the color in the painting of literature. By understanding the definition of figurative language and learning to identify it, you're taking a big step toward appreciating the richness of language. So, are you ready to spot some figurative language in the wild?

Figurative language is the lifeblood of literature. It's the heartbeat that keeps a story alive, vivid, and engaging. So, let's dive into some examples of how authors use figurative language to create unforgettable narratives.

Metaphor : In Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird", the title itself is a metaphor. The act of killing a mockingbird symbolizes the destruction of innocence.

Simile : J.K. Rowling, in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", uses a simile to describe a character's voice: "Her voice was high, rather breathy, and she spoke as though she was permanently on the verge of a sort of giggly collapse."

Personification : In "1984" by George Orwell, the author personifies the clocks: "The clocks were striking thirteen."

Hyperbole : In "Alice in Wonderland", Lewis Carroll uses hyperbole to emphasize Alice's growing size: "She grew so tall that she seemed to shoot up like a telescope."

Onomatopoeia : In "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien, onomatopoeia is used to create sound effects: "There came a 'drip-drip-drip' from the branches."

Figurative language has an incredible ability to capture our imaginations and make literature come alive. It's one of the reasons why we can so vividly picture Hogwarts, empathize with a mockingbird, and feel the oppressive weight of Big Brother watching. By understanding the definition of figurative language and its role in literature, you're well on your way to becoming a more perceptive reader.

Just as a painter uses colors and strokes to create an image, poets use figurative language to paint vivid pictures with their words. Let's look at a few examples that illuminate the definition of figurative language in the world of poetry.

Metaphor : In Emily Dickinson's "Hope is the thing with feathers", hope is metaphorically depicted as a bird that perches in the soul and sings unwaveringly, even in the hardest times.

Simile : In "A Red, Red Rose" by Robert Burns, the poet uses a simile to describe his love: "O my Luve is like a red, red rose."

Personification : In "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordsworth, daffodils are personified as dancing and fluttering in the breeze, providing comfort and joy to the lonely narrator.

Hyperbole : In "As I Walked Out One Evening" by W.H. Auden, the poet uses hyperbole to emphasize the enduring nature of love: "I'll love you till the ocean is folded and hung up to dry."

Onomatopoeia : Edgar Allan Poe's "The Bells" is a famous example of onomatopoeia in poetry, with words that mimic the sounds of the bells they describe: "How they clang, and clash, and roar!"

So, whether it's a metaphor that gives hope wings, a simile that turns love into a vibrant rose, or onomatopoeia that brings the sound of bells to life, figurative language is a powerful tool in the hands of a skilled poet. It adds depth, beauty, and emotional resonance to the verses, making each poem a unique and moving experience.

Just as a chef uses spices to add flavor to a dish, writers of prose use figurative language to spice up their narratives. Prose, like novels or short stories, is full of opportunities to explore the definition of figurative language. Let's take a peek into some classics.

Metaphor : In "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, the mockingbird itself is a metaphor for innocence and goodness, harmed by injustice and prejudice.

Simile : J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series is teeming with similes. For instance, Harry's infamous scar is described as being "like a bolt of lightning."

Personification : Charles Dickens often personified objects and ideas in his works. In "A Tale of Two Cities", he opens with "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," personifying time itself.

Hyperbole : In "The Catcher in the Rye", J.D. Salinger's protagonist Holden Caulfield is known for his dramatic exaggerations, such as when he declares, "I'd probably be the only person who got hit by a car and then run over by a cab."

Irony : George Orwell's "Animal Farm" is a masterclass in irony, as he critiques totalitarian regimes through a seemingly simple farmyard tale.

Figurative language enriches prose, making even the most mundane descriptions intriguing. It helps to create memorable characters, build dramatic tension, and evoke emotional responses, making reading a more engaging and immersive experience. It's like a secret sauce — just a dash can transform the flavor of the story.

Figurative language doesn't just live in the pages of your favorite novel — it's part of our everyday chatter too! We often use figurative language without even realizing it. Don't believe me? Let's walk through some examples:

Idioms : Ever said, "It's raining cats and dogs" when it's pouring outside? That's an idiom, a phrase that doesn't make sense if you take it literally but is understood as a common expression.

Metaphors : If you've ever claimed to be "drowning in homework," then you've used a metaphor. No, there's no actual water involved, but it paints a vivid picture of the overwhelming workload, doesn't it?

Hyperboles : "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" — sounds familiar? That's a hyperbole. Unless you're an actual horse-eater, you're using this phrase to emphasize your extreme hunger.

These are just a few examples of how we use figurative language in our day-to-day conversations. It adds color to our speech, making it more expressive and interesting. So next time, when you're "on cloud nine" or feeling "under the weather," remember — that's the power of figurative language at work!

Just like in our everyday conversations, figurative language also takes center stage in popular culture. It's everywhere — from song lyrics to movie lines, from political speeches to advertisements. Here are a few places where the definition of figurative language really shines:

Song Lyrics : Remember the hit song "Firework" by Katy Perry? The lyrics, “Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?" is a beautiful example of a simile, comparing a person's feeling of aimlessness to a plastic bag drifting in the wind.

Movie Lines : When Forrest Gump famously said, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get," he used a simile to express the unpredictability of life.

Advertisements : Have you noticed how car advertisements often use metaphors? Phrases like "This car is a beast" or "Experience lightning speed" are common, making the product more appealing by using figurative language.

So, whether you're jamming to your favorite tune, watching a blockbuster, or just looking at billboards on the highway, you're experiencing figurative language. It's the secret ingredient that makes our pop culture so engaging and relatable.

Now that we've seen how the definition of figurative language plays out in popular culture, let's get to the heart of the matter: Why is it so important in communication?

1. Adds Spice to Our Speech: Figurative language is like the spice in your favorite dish. It adds flavor to your conversations and makes your speech more interesting. Imagine eating a plate full of plain rice every day — wouldn't that be boring? Similarly, conversations without figurative language are plain and uninteresting.

2. Engages the Listener: Figurative language paints a picture in the listener's mind. When you say "It's raining cats and dogs," the listener doesn't just understand that it's raining heavily; they actually visualize it, making the conversation more engaging.

3. Expresses Complex Ideas: Sometimes, it's hard to express complex emotions or ideas directly. That's where figurative language comes in. Saying "I'm feeling blue" is much easier and more expressive than explaining the specifics of your sadness.

4. Helps in Persuasion: If you've ever watched a speech by Martin Luther King Jr. or read a Harry Potter book, you'll know how persuasive figurative language can be. It's a powerful tool that can sway opinions and stir emotions.

So next time you're having a conversation, remember the importance of figurative language. It's not just a fancy literary device, it's a vital part of our communication. And who knows? With a dash of metaphor or a sprinkle of simile, you might just become the life of the party!

So, you've got the definition of figurative language down, and you understand why it's important. Awesome! Now, how about we try to improve your figurative language skills? Here are some simple, practical steps you can take:

1. Read, Read, Read: Reading is one of the best ways to improve your figurative language skills. From novels to newspapers, figurative language is everywhere. The more you read, the more familiar you'll get with different types of figurative language.

2. Practice Writing: Start incorporating figurative language into your writing. You can use similes, metaphors, personification, or any other type of figurative language that you like. The key here is practicing regularly.

3. Use Figurative Language in Conversations: Try to use figurative language in your daily conversations. Don't worry if it feels unnatural at first. With practice, it will become second nature.

4. Reflect on the Figurative Language You Encounter: Whenever you come across figurative language, take a moment to reflect on it. Understand its meaning, why it's used, and how it enhances the message.

5. Learn from the Masters: There are many songwriters, poets, and authors who are masters of figurative language. Learn from them. Listen to songs by Bob Dylan, read poems by Maya Angelou, or read novels by J.K. Rowling. See how they use figurative language to convey their messages.

Improving your figurative language skills is a journey, not a destination. So, take it one step at a time, practice regularly, and most importantly, have fun with it. Happy learning!

For a deeper understanding of how figurative language can inspire your visual creations, check out Juliet Schreckinger's workshop, ' Composing Complex Illustrations using Basic Shapes .' This workshop will guide you through the process of turning abstract concepts and ideas into compelling visual compositions, using basic shapes as the foundation.

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