Figurative Language: Types, Examples, and How to Use It

You’ve probably heard of figurative language before, but what exactly is it and how does it work? Simply put, figurative language is a catch-all phrase for any literary device that uses images to convey meaning. This contrasts with literal language, which states things exactly as they are. Authors use figurative language to express emotions, ideas, and perspectives more creatively.

In this guide, we’ll break down some common types of figurative language and look at examples from literature. We’ll also give some advice on how to apply it to your own writing to make it truly sing. 

Let’s dive in.

What is figurative language?

Figurative language is when you use words and phrases to imply something that goes beyond their literal definition. It’s primarily used in fiction and creative writing, adding depth, emotion, and artistry to a text.

Saying that a text will “truly sing” or inviting the reader to “dive in,” for instance — as we’ve done above — are both examples of figurative language. Texts can’t actually sing, and readers can’t literally dive into one, but each of these expressions creates a vivid image. A text that “sings” feels alive and captures the reader’s attention, whereas “diving” into a text suggests  you’re going to immerse yourself in it completely.

Besides expressions like these, there are many other kinds of figurative language: metaphors, similes, allusions, personification, and so on. We’ll take a closer look at these in a minute — but first, let’s look at why understanding and mastering figurative language is so important. 

Why should you use figurative language? 

Figurative language is not just a tool that helps authors express themselves in more creative ways. It is a fundamental part of how we express ourselves (in fact, according to author James Geary, communication may even be impossible without it) as it allows you to capture feelings and ideas that are otherwise hard to describe — like love, regret, the passing of time, and what it means to be free, to name just a few. 

Evocative imagery, metaphors, and other types of figurative language is so powerful because it helps you engage your audience's imagination as well as their logic. As such, it is part and parcel of the classic storytelling technique “show, don’t tell.” It elevates your writing from purely factual to genuinely compelling. That's why you'll often see it used in everything from advertisements, creative writing, poems, and speeches — as well as everyday conversation.

Want to learn more about showing, not telling? Check out this course:

So, what might figurative language look like?

7 common types of figurative language

Figurative language comes in many forms, each serving its own purpose in writing. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common types: 

Metaphor

A metaphor says that one thing is another, suggesting they are alike in some way. This comparison isn't literal, but helps convey a deeper meaning or insight. It can either be a straightforward 1:1 comparison, or an extended metaphor, which draws more elaborate parallels between two or more concepts.

⏰ Example: “Time is a thief.”

In this metaphor, time doesn’t literally come into your house and steal from you. Rather, it is compared to a thief to express how it takes away moments or opportunities when we’re not paying attention. The metaphor adds a sense of urgency and loss to the idea of time. 

To extend the metaphor, you’d simply continue the comparison: “Time is a thief. It catches you off your guard, siphons away opportunities bit by bit, and offers no returns.” 

Simile

A simile, like a metaphor, also compares two things — but a simile uses words such as “like” or “as” to highlight the similarities. This type of figurative language is often used to make descriptions more relatable or vivid.

☀️ Example: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”

This simile compares the brightness of a smile to the sun, emphasizing how radiant and joyful the smile is. It would obviously be impossible for a grin to be as bright as the sun (we’d all burn to a crisp if that were true), but this comparison manages to convey just how radiant the smile is.

Personification

Personification gives human characteristics to non-human objects, animals, or abstract concepts. This helps bring inanimate things to life, giving them agency and story-driving potential. By using this technique, authors can explore concepts that go beyond real world logic, but which still hold significance to the human experience.

🤖 Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.”

Here, the wind is given the human ability to whisper. This suggests a quiet, soft movement that creates an intimate atmosphere. It may even add a hint of magic to the narrative.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is an exaggeration used for emphasis or effect. It's often used to highlight something important or to create a strong emotional response in the reader, drawing attention to the disproportionate description.

🐴 Example: “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

This over-the-top statement emphasizes extreme hunger, though it’s clearly not meant to imply that horse is on the menu!

Allusion

An allusion is a reference to another work of literature, a historical event, or a well-known figure or idea. It adds layers of meaning by drawing connections between the current text and something the reader is already familiar with.

🎭 Example: “He was a real Romeo with the ladies.”

Obviously referring to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this allusion instantly conveys that the person is a charmer, much like the passionate and romantic Romeo Montague.

Idiom

An idiom is a set phrase or expression whose meaning is often specific to a culture or language. Often, idioms are puzzling if taken literally (especially for non-native speakers).

🐈 Example: “It’s raining cats and dogs.”

This idiom is used to describe heavy rain. While it doesn’t mean animals are actually falling from the sky, it effectively conveys the intensity of the weather.

Oxymoron

An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms are paired together.

❄️ Example: “Deafening silence.”

Here, “deafening” and “silence” are opposites, but when combined, they evoke the profound, almost suffocating stillness of a moment.

These are just a few of the many types of figurative language that can add depth to your writing. 

Check out this post on 100 literary devices for more examples.

In the next section, we’ll take an in-depth look at how three different authors have applied figurative language in some of their most famous works. 

Examples of figurative language in literature

Figurative language is all around us — and it’s a huge part of some of the most beloved stories in the canon. Let’s see what that might look like in context. 

1. Metaphor in As You Like It by Shakespeare

Shakespeare was a master of figurative language, so what better place to start than with his play As You Like It and this famous line: 

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”

With this metaphor, Shakespeare is trying to capture a universal human experience: that we all perform our expected roles in front of each other. Taken further, he may even be suggesting that we are preordained to fulfill our destinies, just like actors must stick to their scripts onstage.

Instead of outright saying “it doesn’t matter what we do because our fate is already decided,” Shakespeare uses this figurative language to add layers to his writing. This  in turn inspires the reader (or audience member) to think deeply about what that metaphor truly means. They can interpret it in many different ways, whereas more literal writing limits the scope of possibility.

2. Personification in Animal Farm by George Orwell

Figurative language can be used in single sentences when you want to add a bit of flair. However, some of the most effective use of figurative language gradually build more complex images and motifs throughout their story to capture a theme. 

In Animal Farm, for instance, George Orwell uses personification — letting farm animals have greater sentience and the ability to speak — throughout the entire novel. This personification helps convey Orwell’s social and political critiques of totalitarianism and the corruptive effect of power. Bringing farm animals to life to represent real-life political figures also makes the tone of the novel both deeply ironic and sharply critical, keeping the story accessible and entertaining to the reader.

3. Hyperbole in The Vegetarian by Han Kang

In The Vegetarian, author Han Kang uses many different forms of figurative language to explore the inner conflicts of her characters  — especially the protagonist, Yeong-hye, who has decided to stop eating meat. 

Yeong-hye’s refusal to eat meat, which she sees as an act of personal liberation, is met with the disapproval of her family and society. Her avoidance reaches a point where she becomes obsessed with the purity of her food, refusing to eat anything faintly associated with cruelty towards animals.

As the novel progresses and Yeong-hye stands firm in her decision, her character arc becomes increasingly exaggerated. To capture her state of mind — and highlight how small trespasses can do tremendous harm — Kang uses hyperbolic imagery and concepts. Refusing to eat entierly, Yeong-hye longs to become a plant herself: a hyperbolic development of her psychological descent.

5 tips for using figurative language

Now that we have explored various types and examples of figurative language, here are some practical tips to help you use it effectively.

1. Start simple and gradually build complexity

Figurative language is a great way to make your writing more emotionally resonant. Yet too much of a good thing has a tendency to spoil the soup (did you catch that metaphor?), turning your writing into pretentious purple prose.

To avoid this, it’s sufficient to compare the character to one thing (like a summer’s day) and gradually extend the metaphor. As you do, stick to using slightly different variations of the same imagery. You can build in complexity as you go along, but often the most effective use of figurative language captures an abstract idea in a simple, accessible way. 

Tip: Avoid adding too many threads that aren’t closely related to each other, as this can draw attention from your core message (plus it’s just really overwrought):

❌ "Her heart was a fragile porcelain teacup, teetering precariously on the edge of an emotional precipice, surrounded by a swirling whirlwind of forgotten dreams, regrets, and unspoken wishes, like a thousand stars colliding in an eternal cosmic dance of shattered hopes."

Instead, favor a light touch and make sure each comparison builds on the last one:

✅ "Her heart was a fragile porcelain teacup, teetering on the edge of a table. At the slightest push, it could tumble and shatter on the tile below."

2. Balance figurative language with clarity

While figurative language is a powerful tool, not everything needs to be expressed this way. Instead, strive for a balance between figurative language and straightforward descriptions.  

Doing this ensures that your language enhances the story without baffling your audience. It importantly also creates a more dynamic reading experience, slowing things down in sections where you want the reader to pay attention and going quickly through sections that are more informational and transitional.

Tip: When using figurative language, ask yourself whether this is a scene you want to emphasize — and if so, how. Is the message clear? If it distracts the reader from important information, consider using more literal language.

3. Use figurative language to mirror the theme

Figurative language can deepen the emotional resonance of your writing by connecting to broader themes. For instance, by linking a character’s emotional journey to a well-known symbol, you can make their internal struggles feel more significant and universal.

Conversely, if your figurative language is not anchored in the story, it may start to feel like unnecessary ornamentation — weighing your writing down.

Tip: Choose a symbol, metaphor, or any other type of figurative language that reflects your character or story’s emotional arc.

For instance, in a story about loss, you might use a wilting flower to represent a character’s grief. As this character heals, the flower might bloom again, symbolizing their recovery. This can add layers of meaning to both the emotion and the symbolism, helping you show — not tell — your character’s growth.

4. Avoid clichéd figurative language

As with any kind of writing, you want your prose (or poetry) to feel fresh and uniquely yours. Using figurative language, you can describe age-old experiences in completely new ways, putting your own spin on them.

To that end, don’t rely on overused and clichéd expressions — e.g., things like “she was as sweet as candy” or “he had a heart of gold.” Instead, strive for originality by coming up with new comparisons or ways to describe emotions.

Tip: Think about an image that best conveys the emotion or idea at hand. Steer clear of clichés:

❌ “She was as busy as a bee.” 

And instead think more deeply about how to be accurate yet original:

✅ “Her fingers flew over the keyboard, her mind a whirlwind, as the email notification icon blazed red.”

Note how the second version relies more on showing than telling, evoking the feeling of business.

5. Match figurative language to tone

Figurative language is most effective when it fits seamlessly into your writing, matching tone and mood across the board. 

So this might sound obvious, but if you’re writing a tragic scene, you don’t want to use a humorous simile that breaks the mood. Likewise, you don’t want to use a somber metaphor when you’re trying to write a lighthearted scene.

Tip: Plot out the emotional arc of your story and the intended impact of key scenes, then adapt your figurative language accordingly. Ask yourself if the figurative language matches how the narrator would really perceive their environment and the feeling you want your readers to have.

Want help polishing your figurative language? Consider hiring a professional copy editor: 

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Figurative language is an absolutely vital part of creative writing. Instead of painting by numbers, it helps authors draw a world from scratch, freehanding the outline and mixing together a whole new color palette. With these types, tips, and examples of figurative language in your arsenal, we hope you enjoy mixing up your own!