The difference between Figurative and Literal
When used as adjectives, figurative means metaphorical or tropical, as opposed to literal, whereas literal means exactly as stated.
Literal is also noun with the meaning: a value, as opposed to an identifier, written into the source code of a computer program.
check bellow for the other definitions of Figurative and Literal
-
Figurative as an adjective:
Metaphorical or tropical, as opposed to literal; using figures; as of the use of "cats and dogs" in the phrase "It's raining cats and dogs".
-
Figurative as an adjective:
Metaphorically so called.
-
Figurative as an adjective:
With many figures of speech.
-
Figurative as an adjective:
Emblematic; representative
-
Figurative as an adjective (art):
representing forms recognisable in life and clearly derived from real object sources, in contrast to .
-
Literal as an adjective:
Exactly as stated; read or understood without additional interpretation; according to the letter or verbal expression; real; not figurative or metaphorical.
Examples:
"The literal translation is “hands full of bananas” but it means empty-handed."
-
Literal as an adjective:
Following the letter or exact words; not free; not taking liberties.
Examples:
"A literal reading of the law would prohibit it, but that is clearly not the intent."
-
Literal as an adjective (uncommon):
Consisting of, or expressed by, letters.
Examples:
"a literal equation"
-
Literal as an adjective (of a person):
Giving a strict or literal construction; unimaginative; matter-of-fact.
-
Literal as a noun (programming):
A value, as opposed to an identifier, written into the source code of a computer program.
Examples:
"synonyms: literal constant"
-
Literal as a noun (logic):
A propositional variable or the negation of a propositional variable.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resolution_%28logic%29]