Figurative Language Examples

Figurative language is the opposite of literal language. When we use words literally, the words mean exactly what they say. When we use language figuratively, the words do not have their "everyday" meanings. Instead, we are using language to express thoughts and feelings that are not literal.

Example: She eats like a horse.

This is an example of figurative language, because the sentence doesn't mean that the girl literally eats like a horse (eating hay or oats he from a trough). Instead, it is expressing the idea that she is eating a lot.

There are many specific types of figurative language-similes, metaphors, personification, idioms, etc. The examples of figurative language below are a variety of these different specific types.