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Figurative Language Examples and Types
Grammar Rules
10 min read

Figurative Language Examples and Types

Discover the power of figurative language. Learn how to make your writing vivid and engaging through types like similes, metaphors, and idioms, and see how to use them effectively.
Figurative Language Examples
Written by
Kateryna B.
Published on
Aug 20, 2025
Table of contents
At times, your words feel lifeless, even when the message is important. This is a common situation in which writers often find themselves. Research shows that figurative expressions, such as metaphors, similes, and idioms, appear around 6 times per minute in conversation. That's over 8000 instances a day, and that is how natural they feel in a spoken language.
Some people believe figurative language belongs only to poets or novelists, yet the truth is different. It belongs to anyone who wants their words remembered. This article offers steps to help you bring that skill into practice.
Here's what our StudyPro expert writers will cover in this guide:
  • What figurative language is and why it matters;
  • Common types like similes, metaphors, and idioms;
  • How to use them effectively and how not to;
  • Real-life examples to inspire your own writing.

What is Figurative Language?

Figurative language is when words take on a greater meaning than their basic ones. The author is not just saying something, but rather they are creating an emotional response, or anchoring an idea in your mind. Metaphors, similes, personification and imagery are examples of this.
Figurative language meaning and examples can be observed everywhere. For instance, in poetry with emotional weight, novels with colorful worlds, songs that stay in your head long after you've heard them, even in casual language like calling a long day a "marathon." It is often employed by writers, speakers, and creators to add layers, cadence, and imagination to their message in order for their subject to engage, not just inform.

What's the Purpose of Using Figurative Language?

Figurative language is a meaning transporter that stretches ordinary words so they travel longer in the reader's mind and stick with them longer. When writers take away ordinary phrases and use figurative turns, they add texture, rhythm and power to the language.
Here's how the sentences become an experience through figurative language:
  • Creates vivid imagery: Writers can help readers see and feel what they are describing.
  • Evokes emotion: A simple phrase can evoke joy, sadness, fear or excitement much more vividly through figurative turns and expressions.
  • Simplifies the complex ideas: Metaphors and comparisons can make vision as abstract as love, time, or freedom easier to convey.
  • Emphasizes: Points made through figurative expressions create points of emphasis that are memorable.
  • Fires up creativity: Everyday language becomes fresh, surprising and fun through figurative language.

What are Types of Figurative Language?

Figurative language takes many forms, and each one shapes words beyond their literal sense. Some types bring playfulness, while others create drama. Much like the different types of essays, each device can broaden expression in its own way. Together they expand what writing can do and how readers respond.
In the next sections, we will examine the major examples of figurative language. You will see how these literary devices work and are applied with purpose.
  • simile;
  • metaphor;
  • hyperbole;
  • personification;
  • synecdoche;
  • onomatopoeia;
  • oxymoron;
  • litotes;
  • idiom;
  • alliteration;
  • allusion;
  • symbolism;
  • metonymy.

Simile

A simile compares two ideas with “like” or “as.” Example: “Her voice was like music.” It sharpens meaning through a familiar image. You use it when clarity matters. Similes thrive in teaching, persuasion, or storytelling. They work best when they shorten thought instead of stretching it.
Other examples of similes include:
  • His determination was as strong as steel.
  • The night was as dark as coal.
  • She moved like a graceful swan across the stage.
  • The news hit him like a thunderbolt.
  • The child was as gentle as a lamb.

Metaphor

If you’re curious about what is a metaphor, this example shows it best: “Time is money.” It removes “like” or “as” for a direct hit. Metaphors push your reader to accept a stronger link. They give boldness to language. Use them when you want your point to stay in memory.
Other examples of metaphors include:
  • The classroom was a zoo.
  • Her voice was velvet, soft and smooth.
  • The storm was a monster tearing through the town.
  • His anger was a volcano waiting to erupt.
  • Hope is a candle in the dark.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole exaggerates to stress a point. Example: “I’ve told you a thousand times.” It creates urgency or humor. Use it to shock or entertain. Overuse breaks trust, so apply it with control. When placed well, hyperbole amplifies your voice.
Other examples of hyperboles include:
  • This bag weighs a ton.
  • I've told you a million times to clean your room.
  • She cried a river of tears after the movie.
  • It took forever to finish the assignment.
  • He's the fastest guy alive.

Personification

Personification assigns a human characteristic to non human object. Example: “The storm chased us down the road.” It turns the abstract into something readers can feel. Personification works in stories, ads, and poetry. It gives your language life and rhythm. Use it to add color without losing focus.
Other examples of personification include:
  • The alarm clock screamed at me this morning.
  • The stars danced playfully in the night sky.
  • The fire devoured the forest without mercy.
  • My phone died after a long day of use.
  • Justice is blind but never silent.

Synecdoche

Synecdoche replaces a whole with a part or a part with a whole. Example: “Wheels” means a car. It saves words while shaping a bigger picture. Use it to make phrasing sharp and direct. Synecdoche fits well in everyday speech, slogans, and quick writing.
Other examples of synecdoche include:
  • Nice wheels (referring to a car).
  • The crown will decide (referring to the monarchy).
  • Breadwinner (bread meaning livelihood or income).
  • Check out my new threads (threads meaning clothes).
  • The suits are running the company (suits meaning business executives).

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia mirrors natural sound. Words like “buzz,” “clang,” or “drip” show meaning through noise. It makes writing sensory and immediate. Use it when you want readers to hear the action in their minds. Onomatopoeia works in comics, ads, and poems.
Other examples of onomatopoeia include:
  • The leaves rustled in the wind.
  • The door creaked as it opened.
  • The pan sizzled when the meat hit it.
  • The clock ticked loudly in the silence.
  • The balloons popped one by one.

Oxymoron

An oxymoron joins opposite ideas. Example: “Deafening silence.” It creates tension in a single phrase. Oxymorons make readers pause and think. Use them to express conflict, irony, or humor. They condense complexity into a sharp burst.
Other examples of oxymorons include:
  • Bittersweet memory.
  • Living dead.
  • Jumbo shrimp.
  • Act naturally.
  • Pretty ugly.

Litotes

Litotes affirm by denying the opposite. Example: “Not bad” means good. They soften bold claims and add subtlety. Litotes sound modest, careful, or polite. Use them when you want understatement instead of force. They work in formal speech, debate, or indirect tone.
Other examples of litotes include:
  • That test wasn't too bad.
  • She's not unlike her mother.
  • He's no ordinary player.
  • It's not impossible to finish on time.
  • The food wasn't terrible.

Idiom

An idiom is an example of figurative language with meaning beyond its words. Example: “Hit the sack” means sleep. Idioms make writing sound natural and cultural. They carry local flavor but risk confusion across borders. Use them in informal contexts, but avoid them when clarity is critical.
Other examples of idioms include:
  • Break the ice.
  • Hit the sack.
  • Bite the bullet.
  • Under the weather.
  • Spill the beans.

Alliteration

Alliteration repeats sounds at the start of words. Example: “Silver spoons shine.” It creates rhythm and makes text stick. Alliteration works in slogans, titles, or verse. It draws attention and sharpens recall. Use it when sound matters as much as sense.
Other examples of alliteration include:
  • Sally sells seashells by the seashore.
  • The wild winds whistled wildly.
  • Busy buzzing bees.
  • Friendly faces filled the fair.
  • Dark and dreary days.

Allusion

An allusion refers to something outside the text. Example: “He met his Waterloo” recalls Napoleon’s defeat. It condenses meaning without detail. Allusions enrich writing when the reader shares the reference. Use them with care, because missed links cause confusion.
Other allusion figurative language examples include:
  • She opened Pandora's box when she started asking questions.
  • This place is like the Garden of Eden.
  • He met his Waterloo in the final match.
  • She had the patience of Job.
  • He's as ambitious as Napoleon.

Symbolism

Symbolism ties an object to an idea. Example: A chain may stand for oppression. It links the visible with the abstract. Writers use it to anchor themes. Use symbolism for depth and memory, but keep the meaning consistent.
Other examples of symbolism include:
  • A red rose symbolizing love.
  • A broken mirror representing bad luck or shattered identity.
  • Light symbolizing knowledge or truth.
  • Darkness symbolizing ignorance or fear.
  • A journey symbolizing life itself.

Metonymy

Metonymy swaps a word for something related. Example: “The crown” means monarchy. It adds elegance, brevity, and style. Metonymy appears in politics, literature, and news. Use it to hint indirectly and avoid repetition.
Other examples of metonymy include:
  • The White House issued a statement. (White House = U.S. government)
  • Hollywood is obsessed with sequels. (Hollywood = film industry)
  • The pen is mightier than the sword. (pen = writing, sword = warfare)
  • Wall Street is nervous about the new policy. (Wall Street = financial markets)
  • The stage is calling her name. (stage = acting career)

Breaking Down Literal vs. Figurative Language

Literal language says exactly what it means. Figurative language, on the other hand, expands meaning to create emotion or emphasis. Both are effective in their own right, depending on writing or speaking.
Here's a breakdown of the differences:
Aspect
Literal Language
Figurative Language
Definition
Words mean exactly what they say.
Words go beyond their direct meaning.
Purpose
To inform, explain, or describe clearly.
To add depth, emotion, or imagery.
Suitable For
Textbooks, manuals, news reports, academic writing, scientific research.
Poetry, novels, speeches, songs, creative writing, advertising.
Example Sentence
The sky is blue.
The sky was a blanket of sapphire above us.
Meaning
Describes the actual color of the sky.
Uses comparison and imagery to make the sky feel vivid and poetic.

How You Can Use Figurative Language in Writing

Although the various forms of figurative language can only enhance good writing, we must keep in mind that there is a limit to their use. Too much can over-saturate the reader's mind or dilute the meaning.
This is how we can approach using figurative language:
  • Use it selectively: A few sentences with a figure of thought will stand out more than pages of a writer's works.
  • Match the mood: Select figures that match emotional tone; playful for humorous works, serious for melancholic works.
  • Be clear first: Never lose clarity for the sake of being "poetic."
  • Integrate it easily: Let a simile, metaphor, or idiom happen where needed; do not force it in every paragraph/sentence.
  • Use humorous figures meaningfully: Figurative language works well in the context of wit or irony, but can still feel out of place in a serious context.
  • Clichés are not original: Old, worn phrases like "cold as ice" lose their effectiveness; be fresh and novel in your comparisons.
  • Know the audience: A figure of thought that works in a creative novel may feel out of place in a work email.
If you're still feeling uninspired, take advantage of our StudyPro AI writer to energize your writing effortlessly.

Final Thoughts

Figurative language gives writing life, and it changes how words feel on the page. Literal language explains facts, while figurative language reveals meaning through images. Together they balance precision and creativity, so your message feels both clear and alive.
To build skill, start small. Add one figure of speech to a paragraph or a slide, and then read it aloud. Afterward, ask yourself if the phrase sharpens meaning or creates noise. If it adds color without confusion, keep it. If it distracts, remove it and try again.
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Frequently asked questions

Look for words or phrases that have meanings which are not literal. Indicators include comparisons ("as", "like"), extreme exaggeration, having human attributes or qualities given to objects, or different kinds of symbolism. If the language creates a picture, implies emotion or depth, then it is probably figurative language.
Yes. Irony is a form of figurative language, as it implies meaning indirectly, often indicating the opposite of what is meant, to emphasize a point or create humor.
Similes and metaphors are the most common types of figurative language. They occur in written literature, public speeches, day to day conversations, and advertisements because they convey a comparison in a vivid and familiar way, quickly.
Sources:
  • Defining Figurative Language Definitions and Examples of Figurative Language. (n.d.). https://www.lewisu.edu/writingcenter/pdf/DefiningFigurativeLanguage.pdf
  • ‌Figurative language. (2025). Oxford Reference. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095817535
  • ‌Cacciari, C., & Glucksberg, S. (1994). Understanding figurative language. ResearchGate; unknown. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232552011Understandingfigurative_language
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