Figurative Language Glossary Page

The use of words themselves to create emotional associations. Also called Rhetorical Figures, this use of the language has many defined forms:

Allegory: a narrative wherein abstractions are made concrete for the purpose of communicating a moral

Metaphor (figurative comparison): A comparison of widely dissimilar things intended to convey meaning. The comparison involves a Tenor, or the subject being discussed, and a Vehicle, or the analogy, the comparison "carrying" the meaning. Ex: "My heart is a singing bird" Tenor=heart Vehicle=singing bird "The professor growled at the students." Tenor=professor Vehicle=growled

Metonymy (figuative substitution): Describing or naming one thing by something similar. Meaning is inferred. Ex: "The fat lady sings."

Overstatement or Understatement: Exaggerations that either over-represent or under-represent the subject being discussed. Ex: " Florida is one big beach (or swamp)" "The gentle breeze of a hurricane."

Oxymoron: Meaning established by the association of incongruous or contradictory words. Ex: "Military Intelligence" "Silent scream" "Cafeteria food"

Personification: Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. Ex: "The cruel hand of Fate." "A one-armed bandit."

Pun: Elaborate word play using similar sounds or concepts.

Satire: a narrative where irony and exaggeration are used for a humorous portrayal.

Simile: A more limited metaphor that uses "like" or "as." Because the comparison is not exact ("My heart is like a singing bird"), the simile is more limiting.

Synaesthesia: One feeling or perception described with words usually used for a totally different or opposite feeling or perception. Ex: "The sky smelled blue." "The soft hum of fog."

Synecdoche: A part of something substituted for the whole. Meaning is inferred by the specific part used. Ex: "A nice set of wheels."