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Examples of Figurative Language
Figurative language can be found in literature and poetry where the writing appeals to the senses. It can do this by giving a word with a specific meaning, by comparing two things in such a way that you find the comparison interesting or by using words that have unusual constructions or sounds.
Figurative Language: Understanding the Concept
You are using figurative language when writing goes beyond the actual meanings of words so that the reader gains new insights into the objects or subjects in the work.
One of the best ways to really understand the concept of figurative language is to see it in action such as with these examples:
Alright, the sky misses the sun at night. The poorest man is the richest, and the rich are poor. Hear the mellow wedding bells. - Edgar Allen Poe Out of reach, I pull out with a screech. I move fast like a cheetah on the Serengeti. Her head was spinning from all the new information. The toast jumped out of the toaster. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. The Sea lashed out in anger at the ships, unwilling to tolerate another battle. The Redcoats are coming! I’ve told you a million times to clean your room!
Types of Figurative Language
There are many types of figurative language. Some include the use of a specific type of word or word meaning such as:
Simile Metaphor Personification Hyperbole Symbolism
Figurative language can also include unusual constructions or combinations of words that give a new perspective on the word such as:
Alliteration Onomatopoeia Idiom
Following is an explanation of each type of figurative language, each with an example of figurative language:
Simile
A simile compares two things using the words “like” and “as.” Examples include:
busy as a bee clean as a whistle brave as a lion stand out like a sore thumb as easy as shooting fish in a barrel as dry as a bone as funny as a barrel of monkeys they fought like cats and dogs like watching grass grow
Metaphor
When you use a metaphor, you make a statement that doesn’t make sense literally, like “time is a thief.” It only makes sense when the similarities between the two things become apparent or someone understands the connection.
Examples include:
the world is my oyster you are a couch potato time is money he has a heart of stone America is a melting pot you are my sunshine
Personification
Personification gives human characteristics to inanimate objects, animals, or ideas. This can really affect the way the reader imagines things. This is used in children’s books, poetry, and fictional literature. Examples include:
opportunity knocked on the door the sun greeted me this morning the sky was full of dancing stars the vines wove their fingers together to form a braid the radio stopped singing and stared at me the sun played hide and seek with the clouds
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is an outrageous exaggeration that emphasizes a point, and can be ridiculous or funny. Hyperboles can be added to fiction to add color and depth to a character. Examples are:
You snore louder than a freight train. It's a slow burg. I spent a couple of weeks there one day. She is so dumb, she thinks Taco Bell is a Mexican phone company. I had to walk 15 miles to school in the snow, uphill. You could have knocked me over with a feather.
