nonliteral
Metaphorical in meaning
Nonliteral describes language used in ways that depart from its basic, concrete meaning.
A nonliteral reading of I could eat a horse understands hyperbole rather than actual equine consumption.
The term covers metaphor, irony, idiom, and figurative speech generally—anywhere meaning operates beyond the words themselves.
Vivid descriptive language
- metaphoricalSymbolic rather than literal
- lyricalMusically expressive
- evocativeTending to summon memories
- allusiveContaining indirect references
suggestive · impressionistic · expressive · atmospheric · resonant · symbolic · loaded · connotative
Implied identity comparison
- simileComparison via "as"
- analogyExplanatory likeness between things
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
idiom · euphemism · irony · sarcasm · metonymy · synecdoche · personification · hyperbole
Representational mark or sign
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
- totemSpiritual clan symbol
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- signMark conveying information
token · motif · representation · archetype · cipher · badge · insignia · hallmark
Rhetorical extreme exaggeration
- overstatementClaim beyond the facts
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- inflationSustained price level increase
dramatization · overemphasis · stretch · distortion · magnification · aggrandizement · escalation · intensification
imagery
Vivid descriptive language
- metaphoricalSymbolic rather than literal
- lyricalMusically expressive
- evocativeTending to summon memories
allusive · suggestive · impressionistic · expressive · atmospheric · resonant · symbolic · loaded · connotative · associative
metaphor
Implied identity comparison
- simileComparison via "as"
- analogyExplanatory likeness between things
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
parable · idiom · euphemism · irony · sarcasm · metonymy · synecdoche · personification · hyperbole · understatement
symbol
Representational mark or sign
sign · token · motif · representation · archetype · cipher · badge · insignia · hallmark · glyph
hyperbole
Rhetorical extreme exaggeration
- overstatementClaim beyond the facts
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
inflation · dramatization · overemphasis · stretch · distortion · magnification · aggrandizement · escalation · intensification · heightening
fantasy
Imaginative mental wandering
dream · surreal · mythical · fabulous · fantastical · fictional · make-believe · invented · creative · fanciful
nonliteralliteral
Meaning exactly what's said
word-for-word · verbatim · denotative · nonfigurative · strict
nonliteralliteral
Meaning exactly what's said
straightforward · direct · unembellished · matter-of-fact · prosaic