# figurative vs figuratively

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### figurative
*adjective · IPA /ˈfɪɡəɹətɪv/ · frequency rank #24,753*
Of use as a metaphor, simile, metonym or other figure of speech, as opposed to literal; using figures.

### figuratively
*adverb · frequency rank #29,655*
In a figurative manner.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/figurative-vs-figuratively