figuratively

1 of 1adverb

/ˈfɪɡjərətɪvli/

1

in a way that is more imaginative, symbolic and not its literal meaning

When he said his heart was broken, he meant it figuratively, not that he had a medical issue.
She was figuratively on fire during the competition, winning every round with ease.
The room was figuratively buzzing with tension before the announcement.
They figuratively tore the contract to shreds after the failed negotiation.
He was figuratively drowning in paperwork after returning from vacation.

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2

(in art) in a style that depicts real-world objects, people, or scenes, as opposed to abstract forms

The artist paints figuratively, often drawing from childhood memories.
Although known for abstraction, she began working more figuratively in recent years.
He prefers to draw figuratively, capturing everyday life in detail.
The gallery displayed works painted figuratively but with surreal twists.
They studied how different cultures express emotions figuratively through portraiture.