figuratively C2 Topic:Art & Music US /fɪgˈjʊrətɪvli/ See IPA manual Freq #26900 Meanings 1 adv In a way that is meant as an image or comparison, not literally. She was, figuratively speaking, walking on air after hearing the news. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 adv · in a way that is meant as... nonliterally ↔ Opposites literally Etymology AI details From figurative + -ly. Topics Art & Music Word Formation & Derivatives External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # figuratively **Type:** Word **Level:** C2 **Part of speech:** adv **IPA (US):** /fɪgˈjʊrətɪvli/ **Frequency rank:** 26900 ## Meanings 1. In a way that is meant as an image or comparison, not literally. ## Examples - She was, figuratively speaking, walking on air after hearing the news. ## Antonyms - literally ## Etymology From figurative + -ly. ## AI Etymology Figuratively is formed from figurative + -ly. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern adverbial form is built from the named base and affix. Current senses include in a way that is meant as an image or comparison, not literally. ## Topics - Art & Music - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown