nonliteral
1
7.1
- adjective
- /nɒnˈlɪtərəl/
:
no literal
- Using nonliteral language, she explained the complex idea through a vivid metaphor that resonated with the audience.
- literal and nonliteral
Examples
-
Nonliteral expressions, like saying someone has a 'heart of gold,' often convey emotions more powerfully than straightforward descriptions.
-
We focus on metaphor as nonliteral expression in concrete messages that have a linguistic and conceptual structure.
Academic text (2002) -
The word divine in the sixteenth century had a commonplace sense, as it does today, with many nonliteral applications.
Academic text (2002) -
But I just feel that your obviously nonliteral translation of his words is unreasonably neglectful in accurately representing what he actually said.
Blog text (10) -
Unfortunately, filter and slant are ill-suited to capture the distinction between literal and nonliteral seeing.
Academic text (1996) -
By filling the slots, we move away from an open and indeterminate comparison statement to a completed and determinate nonliteral analogy.
Academic text (2002) -
At best, Jackendoff argues, literal and nonliteral perception may be distinguished as different "conceptual attributes" of mental representations.
Academic text (1996) -
Music, dance, the visual arts, rites and rituals, and some other symbolic systems that are nondiscursive, nonliteral, and not assertive can signify emotions even if unconventionally.
Academic text (2011) -
The poem's imagery is rich and nonliteral, allowing readers to explore deeper meanings beyond the surface.
Synonyms
34
6.6
Language that describes one thing by comparing it to another, not its real meaning
9
6.4
Using words in a non-literal way to create images
5
6.7
To describe one thing by comparing it to another to show an idea or feeling
Antonyms
How Literal
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Nonliteral comes from the prefix non- 'not' and literal, which comes from the idea of letter 'a written character'. So nonliteral describes language that is not meant to be taken exactly, like metaphors and idioms.