7 Types of Figurative Language (With Examples)

What Is Figurative Language Definition And Examples

Types of Figurative Language

What does figurative language mean? Figurative language is a necessary concept to understand for any aspiring writer, or, really, anyone who writes at all. Figurative language doesn’t have to make your writing overly-flowery or opaque; in fact, it can do the opposite. Figurative language can clarify your point, illustrate your scenery, or solidify your character in just a few words.

Still unsure if you have a good grasp on the figurative language definition? Fear not– like a lot of concepts, figurative language can be most easily understood by seeing it in action. Let’s look at some of the most common types of figurative language.

Metaphor

A metaphor is an implied comparison between two unlike concepts. It can be a great way to quickly describe something without a ton of adjectives.

Figurative language examples of metaphors: 

• “The office is a hornet’s nest.”
• “He was a wild animal on the court.” 
• “Love is a Battlefield.” – from Pat Benatar’s song; compares love to a battlefield

Simile

A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison by using “like” or “as.”

Figurative language examples of simile:

• “She’s like a robot.”
• “He was as cool as a cucumber.”
• “Life is like a box of chocolates.” – from Eric Roth’s screenplay Forrest Gump, based on Winston Groom’s novel of the same name; compares life to a box of chocolates by using “like”.

Personification

Personification is a type of figurative language that gives human-like characteristics to inanimate objects, which can be helpful when trying to add emotion and imagery to scenes without people. 

Figurative language examples of personification: 

• “Minutes crawled by.”
• “The tractor wheezed.”
• “The grey-ey'd morn smiles on the frowning night, Check'ring the Eastern clouds with streaks of light.” – from William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet; uses personification to illustrate the passing of time from night (frowning) to day (smiling), which adds mood and character to the setting.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is a type of figurative language that uses extreme and purposeful exaggeration. It can be great for heightening your writing for comic or persuasive effect. 

Figurative language examples of hyperbole:

• “The line was a mile long” 
• “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse”
• It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” – from Charles Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities; uses hyperbole to create a diametric contrast between two exaggerated states: “best” and “worst.”

Idiom

An idiom is a common expression that has a meaning beyond what it literal definition. Idioms should be used sparingly, as they are by definition clichés.

Figurative language examples of idiom:

• “The apartment cost an arm and a leg.” 
• “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
• “Can't learn an old dog new tricks, as the saying is.” – from Mark Twain’s novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; uses an idiom to suggest some people can’t change. 

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia refers to words that sound like what they are describing. 

Figurative language examples of onomatopoeia:

• Bang.
• Whoosh.
• “He saw nothing and heard nothing but he could feel his heart pounding and then he heard the clack on stone and the leaping, dropping clicks of a small rock falling.” – from Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls; Hemingway uses “clack” and “clicks” to add to our auditory senses in the passage.

Euphemism

A euphemism is a word or collection of words that are used to talk around something harsh or explicit. These are often used when someone is uncomfortable talking about a subject or is trying to be polite, which makes them great for comedy. 

Figurative language examples of euphemism:

• “She was put out to pasture.”
• “I heard the two of them did the deed.”
• “It’s really an awfully simple operation… it’s just to let the air in.” – from Ernest Hemingway’s short story “Hills Like White Elephants” using euphemism to describe an abortion

Figurative language in poetry and prose can add style and flair. When in doubt, reference the figurative language definition and examples above. Now, let’s look at how to write figurative language.

What Is Figurative Language Meaning

How to Write Figurative Language

Figurative in literature is perhaps the most common form of figurative language. However, figurative language can also be found in poems, screenplays, and more. 

Use figurative language sparingly

What is the purpose of figurative language? The purpose of figurative language is to add flavor and imagery to your writing. Like with most good things, it’s best not to overuse it. Figurative language should always clarify your meaning and add an element of style that wouldn’t be there otherwise.

Consider the reader

It’s important to consider the reader when writing figurative language. Will they understand the meaning? Or will the intent be lost on them? Idioms may sound insane to non native speakers. Imagine hearing “we have to address the elephant in the room” without knowing it has figurative meaning? What elephant? In which room?! 

Master understatement and overstatement

Figurative language can effectively be used as a tonal tool to either underplay or overplay the severity of a situation. For example: you might use understatement to say “‘tis but a scratch” when you’ve actually suffered a grievous injury. Or you might use overstatement to say you’re the king of the world when you’re really just standing on the bow of a ship.

But what does figurative language look like in a screenplay? Eric Heisserer’s script for Arrival – which we imported into StudioBinder’s screenwriting software – contains a great example of figurative language.

Take a look at this passage, where Louise is being approached by the military to help with communicating with aliens. Can you spot the personification?